Braille Books 2001-2002
National Library Service for the
Blind and Physically Handicapped
Library of Congress
Washington 2003
Braille--Nonfiction
Adventure
Before the Wind: The Memoir of an American Sea Captain,
1808-1833 BR 12781
by Charles Tyng
3 volumes
Charles Tyng's great-great-granddaughter has edited this
memoir of his early seafaring years, tracing his career from
a first harrowing voyage to China at age thirteen to his own
shipboard command in his early twenties. Tyng recounts his
adventures at sea, including shipwrecks, mutinies, and
pirate attacks, and in exotic ports worldwide. Some
violence. 1999.
Captain Bligh's Portable Nightmare BR 13398
by John Toohey
2 volumes
A historian draws from original sources to portray Captain
Bligh and his arduous four-thousand-mile sea adventure in an
open boat after the mutiny on the Bounty. Toohey
extrapolates from 200-year-old published records to create
dialog and reconstruct Bligh's probable decision-making
processes. 1998.
In the Land of White Death: An Epic Story of Survival in the
Siberian Arctic BR 13517
by Valerian Albanov
2 volumes
In April 1914, after nearly eighteen months aboard the
icebound Saint Anna, Russian navigator Albanov and ten
companions set off across 235 miles of frozen Arctic sea on
improvised kayaks and sledges. Albanov recounts the ninety-
day ordeal that he and only one other survived. Originally
published in 1917. 2000.
Lost at Sea: An American Tragedy BR 12712
by Patrick Dillon
2 volumes
Recounts how in 1983, two boats from a fishing fleet out of
Anacortes, Washington, simultaneously capsized off the coast
of Alaska, without giving distress signals. Describes the
extensive investigation into the mysterious incident and
explains why crabbing had become "the nation's deadliest
occupation." Some strong language. 1998.
Travels with the Fossil Hunters BR 13543
edited by Peter J. Whybrow
2 volumes
Twelve paleontologists and geologists recount their
fieldwork in remote parts of the world. Episodes include a
pony trek in the Tibetan highlands, a quest for fossils in
the Sahara, a driver ant attack in Sierra Leone, excavations
in Latvia and China, and an expedition in search of mammal
remains in Antarctica. 2000.
Yukon Alone: The World's Toughest Adventure Race BR 13297
by John Balzar
3 volumes
A journalist spends six months among the mushers of the Far
North as they prepare for the grueling Yukon Quest
International Sled Dog Race-1,023 snowy miles between
Whitehorse and Fairbanks, Alaska. Depicts the men and women
struggling to take their dog teams through the wilderness.
Some strong language. 1999.
Animals and Wildlife
Always Faithful: A Memoir of the Marine Dogs of WWII BR
13614
by William W. Putney
2 volumes
The 1943 commander, also a veterinarian, of the Marines'
Third War Dog Platoon describes the training and duties of
the animals he led during World War II. Explains the
recruitment and retention of his charges and their handlers
and their subsequent action in the Pacific. 2001.
Animal ER: Extraordinary Stories of Hope and Healing from
One of the World's Leading Veterinary Hospitals BR 13136
by Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine
2 volumes
Anecdotes from an animal emergency room, where specialists
handle all kinds of patients: dogs hit by cars or mauled in
fights, cats with cancer, exotic species, and creatures with
mystery ailments that require medical sleuthing. Workers
must also deal with the issue of putting pets to sleep for
financial reasons. 1999.
Bark If You Love Me: A Woman-Meets-Dog Story BR 13507
by Louise Bernikow
1 volume
While jogging in a Manhattan park, the author finds a crowd
surrounding an abused dog. She spontaneously adopts the male
boxer. As a first-time pet owner, Bernikow becomes
acquainted with the animal world and meets many new friends-
both human and canine-in the impersonal city of New York.
2000.
Colter: The True Story of the Best Dog I Ever Had BR 13367
by Rick Bass
2 volumes
A novelist and essayist describes his childhood fascination
with animals and the bond of understanding he forged with
one of his dogs. Colter had been the runt of the litter,
unwanted by anyone else. But as he grew, Colter developed
amazing hunting skills. 2000.
Goodbye, Dear Friend: Coming to Terms with the Death of a
Pet BR 12607
by Virginia Ironside
1 volume
British journalist discusses relationships people often have
with their pets and the very real, but often scorned, grief
they suffer when a much-loved animal dies. She uses letters,
anecdotes, excerpts, and poems to illustrate her analysis;
also touches on euthanasia, memorials, spiritual beliefs,
and long-missing pets. 1994.
The Parrot's Lament: And Other True Tales of Animal
Intrigue, Intelligence, and Ingenuity BR 13191
by Eugene Linden
2 volumes
Stories from veterinarians, researchers, and zookeepers who
interact with animals on a daily basis. Many of these tales
reveal animal attempts "to deceive or manipulate their
keepers or each other" through games or escapes. Others show
that trust and understanding can grow between humans and
other species, as evidenced by acts of heroism. 1999.
Saving Molly: A Research Veterinarian's Choices BR 12652
by James Mahoney
2 volumes
A veterinarian recounts his rescue of Molly, a diseased and
debilitated runt puppy, an experience that would
"crystallize thirty years of rumination about my life with
animals." Discusses the sensitive issue of using animals in
medical research, in which the author has had years of
practice. 1998.
The Social Lives of Dogs: The Grace of Canine Company BR
13273
by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
2 volumes
In this sequel to the bestselling The Hidden Life of Dogs
(BR 9410) the anthropologist-owner of a multitude of pets
continues her observations of their behavior. Theorizes that
if canines cannot live only with their own kind, they will
establish family relationships with humans and other
household pets. 2000.
Summers with the Bears: Six Seasons in the Minnesota Woods
BR 12662
by Jack Becklund
1 volume
The author recalls leaving Florida in 1988 to live in the
backwoods of Minnesota, where he and his wife befriended an
orphaned black bear cub and became intimately acquainted
with nine more bears over the next six years. Describes the
couple's extraordinary experiences with their ursine
friends. 1999.
Tigers in the Snow BR 13120
by Peter Matthiessen
2 volumes
Novelist and naturalist Matthiessen evokes the plight of the
Siberian (Amur) tiger. Recounts field trips in 1990, 1992,
and 1996 to tiger reserves in Asia and the Russian Far East.
Describes the cat's history and natural habitat, and the
efforts of conservationists and governments toward
preserving the species. 2000.
Two Puppies BR 12546
by Jane Stern and Michael Stern
2 volumes
The married authors describe a hellish two years with a
puppy very unlike the other Bullmastiffs they've owned. In
contrast, they discuss the early years of a well-behaved dog
BRed and trained to be a guide dog. Also includes tips on
selecting, training, and caring for puppies. Some strong
language. 1998.
The Arts
Andy Warhol BR 13791
by Wayne Koestenbaum
2 volumes
Examines the enigmatic man behind the public figure of the
pop artist who became a cultural icon of the 1960s.
Discusses Warhol's homosexuality in art and life, and his
nearly fatal shooting. Provides psychoanalytically oriented
insights into his personality and his work. 2001.
The Architecture of Diplomacy: Building America's Embassies
BR 12507
by Jane C. Loeffler
4 volumes
Traces the history of U.S. representation abroad through its
buildings, focusing on construction since 1926. Evaluates
American embassies in the 1950s as symbols of "an energetic
and future-oriented nation." Notes the impact of terrorism
on 1990s concerns for embassy security. 1998.
Birth of the Cool: Beat, Bebop, and the American Avant-Garde
BR 13660
by Lewis MacAdams
3 volumes
Cultural history of the American arts scene in the 1940s and
1950s. Examines the derivation of "cool" and evaluates which
artists had it, from jazz musicians such as Charlie Parker
and Miles Davis, to writers including William Burroughs,
Jack Kerouac, and Allen Ginsberg. Some strong language.
2001.
Portraits: Talking with Artists at the Met, the Modern, the
Louvre, and Elsewhere
BR 12588
by Michael Kimmelman
2 volumes
Originating as a series of articles in the New York Times,
these interviews with eighteen contemporary artists as they
sit in front of famous paintings "attempt to help bridge
the gap between artists and the public." The painters
discuss how these celebrated works fit into the continuing
development of art. 1998.
Astronomy
Brother Astronomer: Adventures of a Vatican Scientist BR
13529
by Guy Consolmagno
2 volumes
A Jesuit brother discusses the relationship between
religion and science. Covers his personal background as an
American astronomer who became a Jesuit at age thirty-seven;
his research on the Vatican collection of meteorites; the
role of the Catholic Church in supporting scientific
inquiry; and a scientific expedition to Antarctica. 2000.
Cosmic Dispatches: The New York Times Reports on Astronomy
and Cosmology BR 13575
edited by John Noble Wilford
4 volumes
Collection of space science articles by six writers,
previously published in the New York Times. They explain the
significance of technological breakthroughs and discoveries
in astronomical research that expand human understanding of
the universe. 2001.
The Neptune File: A Story of Astronomical Rivalry and the
Pioneers of Planet Hunting BR 13536
by Tom Standage
2 volumes
Chronicles events surrounding the 1840s discovery of the
eighth planet from the Sun. Describes how British
mathematician John Couch Adams deduced Neptune's existence
from formulas-in work ignored by Britain's royal
astronomer. Then Frenchman Urbain Le Verrier reached a
conclusion similar to that of Adams, sparking a race to view
the planet. 2000.
The Sky Is Not the Limit: Adventures of an Urban
Astrophysicist BR 13333
by Neil de Grasse Tyson
2 volumes
Memoirs of the director of the Hayden Planetarium in New
York City. Describes his deciding at nine to become an
astrophysicist and then achieving that goal. Explains
Tyson's unique profile not only as a "nerdy kid" and star
athlete, but as a black male in America. 2000.
Biography
Addie BR 12561
by Mary Lee Settle
2 volumes
Memoir centered around the author's grandmother Addie from
Cedar Grove, West Virginia. Describes the social and
economic life of the Kanawha Valley in pioneer days, during
the War between the States, and later when the coal mines
were developed. 1998.
Christmas in Plains: Memories BR 13767
by Jimmy Carter
1 volume
Carter, who served as the thirty-ninth president of the
United States, reminisces about family Christmases over the
years, beginning with his childhood on a Georgia farm,
through his years in the U.S. Navy, the Georgia governor's
mansion, the White House, and then back to Plains.
Bestseller 2001.
Dog Heart: A Memoir BR 13185
by Breyten Breytenbach
2 volumes
The lyrical reminiscences of the South African poet, writer,
and ex-revolutionary about the country of his childhood. He
recalls folk heroes and political events under apartheid
while exploring external and internal landscapes. 1999.
Educating Esm‚: Diary of a Teacher's First Year BR 13056
by Esm‚ Raji Codell
1 volume
Journal entries relate the author's first months in an urban
classroom. Esm‚ recalls her refusal to be intimidated by her
Chicago inner-city fifth graders and her determination to
make their learning experience unique and enjoyable-despite
her own problems with an infuriating school principal.
Strong language. 1999.
The Greatest Generation Speaks: Letters and Reflections BR
13581
by Tom Brokaw
2 volumes
Collection of letters and other responses Brokaw received
in response to The Greatest Generation (BR 13580); offers
more accounts of the "heroism, values, friendships, and
pain" of the Great Depression and World War II; explores the
effects of these two crises on that generation and those
that followed. Bestseller 1999.
Harvest Son: Planting Roots in American Soil BR 12668
by David Mas Masumoto
2 volumes
Sequel to Epitaph for a Peach (BR 10551). Japanese American
farmer describes life and work on his family's orchard in
California's Central Valley. Explores his cultural heritage
by visiting his ancestral village in Japan and by recounting
the arduous existence of his forebears, including those
interned during World War II. 1998.
The Heart Can Be Filled Anywhere on Earth: Minneota,
Minnesota BR 12563
by Bill Holm
2 volumes
After years of searching for "a middle-class life in a
gentler, lovelier, more urbane place," the author returns to
his native Minneota, Minnesota, with newfound views on the
value of community and the meaning of success. He describes
his Icelandic forebears and his own early years. 1996.
House of Steps: Finding the Path Home BR 12613
by Amy Blackmarr
1 volume
Essayist describes living alone in an odd rental house in
rural Kansas while completing a fellowship at the University
of Kansas. She talks of spiders and wasps, mailbox
destruction, multiple dogs, mowing the huge lawn, and coming
to feel at home. 1999.
In the Wilderness: Coming of Age in Unknown Country BR
13284
by Kim Barnes
2 volumes
A poet describes her happy childhood in the Idaho
timberlands, where her father was a logger, and her
rebellious adolescence after her parents joined a
fundamentalist religion. She recalls changes in the
environment and in her interior landscape as she matured.
Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1996.
Jessie De La Cruz: A Profile of a United Farm Worker BR
13558
by Gary Soto
1 volume
Describes the life and times of a California migrant worker
who joined Cesar Chavez's "La Causa" movement and helped
change labor laws. Jessie De La Cruz spent many decades
working in the fields, and became the first woman organizer
for the National Farm Workers Association. For senior high
readers. 2000.
Leonardo da Vinci BR 13272
by Sherwin B. Nuland
1 volume
A professor of surgery examines the Renaissance painter,
architect, and engineer, focusing on Leonardo's experimental
approach to science and especially his studies of anatomy
and physiology. Discusses the contention of the artist's
homosexuality and interprets the Mona Lisa portrait. Some
descriptions of sex. 2000.
On the Wing: A Young American Abroad BR 13752
by Nora Sayre
2 volumes
A New York writer and former film critic recounts her
coming-of-age experiences in London in the 1950s. Through
her parents, Sayre was privileged to move in literary
circles with Arthur Koestler, A.J. Liebling, Cyril Connolly,
Elizabeth Jane Howard, John Davenport, and actor Tyrone
Power. Some strong language. 2001.
Paper Daughter: A Memoir BR 12657
by M. Elaine Mar
3 volumes
Born in southern China in 1966, the author moved to Hong
Kong and then, at five, to Denver with her family to live
with an aunt. Before leaving for Harvard, Mar struggled with
classmates' cruelty and having to live in two cultures. Some
explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1999.
The Pleasure of Their Company BR 13433
by Doris Grumbach
1 volume
As the author composes a guest list for her eightieth
birthday party, she recalls family and friends, both living
and dead. She discusses favorite books, comments on fellow
authors, reflects on relationships, and meditates on the
approach of death. 2000.
Rosa Parks BR 13342
by Douglas Brinkley
2 volumes
A distinguished historian portrays the woman who became a
symbol of freedom by her refusal to give up her Alabama bus
seat to a white man in 1955. Brinkley examines her
background, what led to her courageous action in the civil
rights movement, and the repercussions. 2000.
Simone Weil BR 13690
by Francine du Plessix Gray
2 volumes
A portrait of the complex character of the French
philosopher and feminist who died of anorexia at age thirty-
four. Gray describes Weil's isolated, intellectual childhood
in Paris; the dichotomy between her mental and physical
needs; and the evolution of her spiritual quest. 2001.
Threads of Time: Recollections BR 12937
by Peter Brook
2 volumes
In this memoir, stage and screen director Brook recalls the
aesthetic, personal, and spiritual journey that has shaped
his long and varied career. Explains his ideas about film,
opera, and other productions; discusses his efforts to
create a multicultural and multilingual theater; relates
experiences and encounters that left lasting impressions.
1998.
Through the Burning Steppe: A Wartime Memoir BR 13522
by Elena Kozhina
1 volume
Wartime remembrance of a young girl who fled Leningrad in
1942 to escape the invading German army. The only survivors
of their family, Elena and her mother were left to eke out a
living on the Russian steppes among the local Cossacks, who
despised Communists. 1998.
Truth: Four Stories I Am Finally Old Enough to Tell BR
13117
by Ellen Douglas
2 volumes
Still publishing under her pen name, the author recalls four
troublesome episodes from her earlier years. While some
details were incorporated in her previous works, here she
tries to record the "truth" as factually as possible. In
"Grant" she describes residing with a dying uncle, but
remaining emotionally distant from him. 1998.
Blindness and Disability
Against the Pollution of the I: Selected Writings BR 13161
by Jacques Lusseyran
1 volume
Six biographical essays explore the nature of blindness and
attitudes toward it. Lusseyran's "I" refers to an inner
light, or "radiance," that he discovered after losing his
eyesight at age eight. Describes incarceration and survival
in Buchenwald; suggests that "disabilities, losses, griefs,
and failings" are gifts that can lead to joy. 1999.
Americans with Disabilities: Exploring Implications of the
Law for Individuals and Institutions BR 12996
edited by Leslie Pickering Francis and Anita Silvers
7 volumes
Essays by leading philosophers, legal scholars, and
political theorists-many with backgrounds in bioethics or in
disability studies-examine critical issues concerning the
conceptual, philosophical, political, and legal foundations
of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) passed in 1990.
2000.
Braille Books 1999-2000 BR 13544
by National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped
3 volumes
A catalog of braille books produced during 1999 and 2000 by
the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped. Separate sections list fiction and nonfiction
by subject categories. Young adult books are also included.
2001.
Braille: Into the Next Millennium BR 13188
by National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped
4 volumes
Essays examining the history and future of braille include
such topics as the development of the literary, Nemeth, and
music codes; braille production; legal issues; library
service; and literacy and computer access concerns. Edited
by Judith Dixon, with a foreword by Frank Kurt Cylke and a
preface by Kenneth Jernigan. 2000.
Bravo! Miss Brown: A World without Sight and Sound BR
13551
by Joan Mactavish
3 volumes
Biography of Mae Brown (1935-1973), who was the first deaf-
blind person to graduate from a Canadian university and
a counselor at the Canadian National Institute for the
Blind. Her college tutor chronicles Brown's family,
education, social and professional life, and triumphs and
disappointments. 2000.
Cooking without Looking: Food Preparation Methods and
Techniques for Visually Handicapped Homemakers BR 13478
by Esther Knudson Tipps
2 volumes (Reissue)
Cooking methods and techniques developed through research at
the Texas School for the Blind. In addition to recipes, the
book gives basic principles of meal planning, marketing,
food preparation, table service, and food storage. 1986.
The Education of Laura Bridgman: First Deaf and Blind
Person to Learn Language
BR 13354
by Ernest Freeberg
3 volumes
Chronicles the life of Laura Bridgman, who, born into a New
Hampshire farm family in 1829, became deaf and blind at the
age of two. Freeberg recounts Laura's transformation into a
woman who voraciously absorbed the world around her under
the tutelage of Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe of the Perkins
Institution for the Blind. 2001.
The Excuse Factory: How Employment Law Is Paralyzing the
American Workplace BR 13307
by Walter Olson
4 volumes
Cites negative impacts of employment legislation, including
laws regarding affirmative action, sex and age
discrimination, various forms of harassment, and the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Argues that the ADA
has actually harmed severely disabled workers in their
search for jobs commensurate with their skills. 1997.
Helen Keller, Public Speaker: Sightless but Seen, Deaf but
Heard BR 13617
by Lois J. Einhorn
2 volumes
An account of Helen Keller's public speaking, concentrating
on the characteristics, effectiveness, and broad range of
topics of her speeches. Observes that, although sightless
and deaf, she learned to communicate effectively, inspiring
others with her "vision of a better tomorrow." Provides a
chronology of her discourse. 1998.
I Can Feel Blue on Monday BR 12826
edited by Marc Maurer
1 volume
This collection of vignettes "tells what blindness is and,
perhaps equally important, what it is not." In the title
article math professor Abraham Nemeth, the originator of the
BRaille code for mathematics and sciences, describes his
English teacher's frustration because Nemeth could not feel
the color of a piece of paper. 2000.
The Imprisoned Guest: Samuel Howe and Laura Bridgman, the
Original Deaf-Blind Girl BR 13353
by Elisabeth Gitter
3 volumes
The life of Laura Bridgman, deaf and blind from age two,
who became one of the most famous women of the mid-
nineteenth century. Explores her education with Samuel Howe
at Boston's Perkins Institution for the Blind; views her
achievements in the context of American social, cultural,
and intellectual history. 2001.
Living in the State of Stuck: How Assistive Technology
Impacts the Lives of People with Disabilities BR 13492
by Marcia J. Scherer
3 volumes
Provides an overview of the issues surrounding people with
disabilities and assistive technology. Discusses how the
equipment affects the individual and how to successfully
match them. Uses vignettes to describe those who use devices
and those who tried and abandoned them. 2000.
The Miracle Worker: A Play for Television BR 13555
by William Gibson
1 volume
Depicts the beginning of the lifelong relationship between
deaf and blind Helen Keller and her tutor, Annie Sullivan.
When Annie arrives at the Keller household, she finds a
spoiled, fractious child who cannot communicate. Annie
teaches Helen to finger spell and searches for a way to show
her what different words mean. 1956.
My Sense of Silence: Memoirs of a Childhood with Deafness
BR 13371
by Lennard J. Davis
2 volumes
Memoir of a baby boomer who was raised in a working-class
BRonx neighborhood by immigrant Jewish parents who were
deaf. Davis describes communicating in sign language before
he could speak, recalls family relationships that included a
much older brother, and assesses the advantages and
problems inherent in his childhood. 2000.
Oh, Wow! BR 12825
edited by Marc Maurer
1 volume
In this collection of personal accounts, members of the
National Federation of the Blind discuss the importance of
being given the opportunity to try, as well as the value of
training and belief. In the title article Maurer discusses
how key it is to recognize the significance of small
triumphs and successes. 2000.
Reflecting the Flame BR 13150
edited by Marc Maurer
1 volume
Nine stories recounting how blind adults are creating a past
upon which blind children can build their futures. A lawyer
gains a better understanding of her blindness while learning
how to open a milk carton, and a man discusses how to deal
with things done mainly for visual effect. 1999.
The Slate Book: A Guide to the Slate and Stylus BR 13457
by Jennifer Dunnam
1 volume
Advocates the use of the slate and stylus as a means of
taking braille notes before learning electronic methods.
Provides suggestions and exercises to assist in becoming
proficient in this skill, which is equivalent to writing
with a pen or pencil. 2000.
To Love This Life: Quotations BR 12932
by Helen Keller
1 volume
Quotations from speeches, letters, articles, and interviews
by the author, lecturer, and humanitarian who became deaf-
blind at nineteen months of age. Topics include the senses,
faith, women in society, human nature, war and peace,
education, happiness, friendship and love, and triumph over
adversity. Includes a chronology of Keller's life from 1880
to 1968. 2000.
Web Accessibility for People with Disabilities BR 13355
by Michael G. Paciello
4 volumes
Advocates making the World Wide Web fully accessible for
people with disabilities and provides instructions for
designing and building web sites with the use of assistive
technology. Describes tools and utilities currently
available, outlines legal issues, and discusses problem
solving resources. 2000.
Business and Economics
Bookstore: The Life and Times of Jeannette Watson and Books
& Co. BR 12665
by Lynne Tillman
3 volumes
History of the independent New York City bookstore owned and
operated by Watson from 1978 until its closing in 1997.
Based on extensive interviews, discusses the booklover who
founded the enterprise and describes the writers and readers
who frequented what became a legendary store. 1999.
Desegregating the Dollar: African American Consumerism in
the Twentieth Century BR 12811
by Robert E. Weems
2 volumes
An associate professor of history at the University of
Missouri-Columbia traces African Americans' ascent among
retail purchasers from marginal shoppers in the early 1900s
to an important segment of the consumer market in the 1990s.
Explores stereotypes used to target this community. Includes
an epilogue, appendix, and notes. 1998.
Greenspan: The Man behind Money BR 13605
by Justin Martin
3 volumes
The author uses interviews with Alan Greenspan's family and
associates to trace the Federal Reserve Board chairman's
youth in Manhattan, years at New York University, careers in
music and consulting, and rise to fame as presidential
advisor and bank chief. Explores influences of economist
Arthur Burns and novelist Ayn Rand. 2000.
Just Generosity: A New Vision for Overcoming Poverty in
America BR 12795
by Ronald J. Sider
3 volumes
An evangelical Christian's visionary strategy for reducing
poverty in the United States-the richest nation on Earth in
the twenty-first century. Notes that the solution to this
issue requires moral, spiritual, socioeconomic, and
structural changes, and proposes a joint effort by
Christians and other people of goodwill. 1999.
Millionaire: The Philanderer, Gambler, and Duelist Who
Invented Modern Finance BR 13338
by Janet Gleeson
2 volumes
Chronicles John Law's Scottish childhood, his years studying
economics, and his escape from prison after winning a duel.
Recalls his rise to fame for devising the paper currency
system of the eighteenth century; explores the impact of
Law's financial innovations on banking, credit, and
investment practices. 1999.
Turning Off the Heat: Why America Must Double Energy
Efficiency to Save Money and Reduce Global Warming BR 12428
by Thomas R. Casten
3 volumes
Explains why using fossil fuels to produce electricity is
wasteful to consumers and harmful to the environment. Casten
proposes a free market for electricity to encourage new
energy technology that will improve efficiency, reducing
costs and cutting emissions. 1998.
Careers and Job Training
But What If I Don't Want to Go to College? A Guide to
Success through Alternative Education BR 12422
by Harlow G. Unger
4 volumes
Describes the lucrative career opportunities and demands for
various trades and skills that do not require a four-year
degree. Discusses advantages and disadvantages,
requirements, and future prospects for ten types of
alternative education. Includes resum‚ and interview advice
as well as resource lists. For senior high and older
readers. 1998.
Career Opportunities in Computers and Cyberspace BR 12603
by Harry Henderson
4 volumes
Profiles close to two hundred jobs that are available for
people with computer skills. The author gives basic
information such as position description, salaries, and
future prospects and offers career tips and advice on using
the World Wide Web. For senior high and older readers. 1999.
Careers for Non-Conformists: A Practical Guide to Finding
and Developing a Career outside the Mainstream BR 13040
by Sandra Gurvis
4 volumes
Focusing on self-employment, the guide discusses traits
necessary for success, valuable resources, and what to
expect in general. Covers fields related to computers,
entertainment, law, food and hospitality, medical and
insurance services, physical fitness and the outdoors, sales
and marketing, travel and tourism, and research and writing.
2000.
Retire Early-and Live the Life You Want Now: A Ten-Step Plan
for Reinventing Your Retirement BR 12970
by John F. Wasik
2 volumes
Includes instructions for balancing spending with what is
needed for early retirement, structuring an income stream,
choosing and setting up a prosperity plan, creating a
private utopia, fully funding investment vehicles, retiring
early even with kids at home, and making money last as long
as you do. 1999.
Classics
Beowulf BR 12591
by Seamus Heaney
3 volumes
Nobel laureate Heaney presents a bilingual edition of the
tenth-century Anglo-Saxon epic, which includes the original
poem in Old English along with his new modern English verse
translation. The poem chronicles the feats of Scandinavian
warrior Beowulf, who battles with monsters and brings
wisdom to leadership. Whitbread Award. Bestseller 2000.
The Canterbury Tales BR 13235
by Geoffrey Chaucer
6 volumes
A modern English translation by Ronald L. Ecker and Eugene
J. Crook of Chaucer's fourteenth-century classic in which
pilgrims agree to a storytelling contest as they travel to
the shrine of Thomas … Becket in Canterbury. 1993.
The Diamond Sutra and The Sutra of Hui-Neng BR 13285
translated by A.F. Price and Mou-lam Wong
2 volumes
The Diamond Sutra, a sacred Buddhist scripture, passed into
written format in the fourth century A.D. Price's English
translation of the text was made in 1947. In 1929 Wong made
the first English translation of The Sutra of Hui-Neng, a
T'ang dynasty record of sermons and sayings belonging to the
Zen tradition. 1947.
The Origin of Species BR 12412
by Charles Darwin
5 volumes (Reissue)
The nineteenth-century English scientist's theory of
evolution, in which he uses the findings of anatomy,
geology, embryology, and paleontology to support his
explanation of natural selection and survival of the
fittest. 1859.
Computers
Bots: The Origin of New Species
BR 12715
by Andrew Leonard
3 volumes
Explains the nature, origins, and functions of bots, the
computer software versions of mechanical robots. Bots range
from simple log-on scripts to intelligent, autonomous
characters that roam cyberspace performing complex services.
Predicts that future bots will make computer use effortless
and enjoyable. 1997.
The First Week with My New iMac:
A Very Basic Guide for Mature Adults and Everyone Else Who
Wants to "Get Connected" BR 13387
by Pamela R. Lessing
2 volumes
Provides step-by-step instructions for beginners with iMac
computers for using e-mail, the Internet, word processing,
compact disks (CDs), and computer games. Also includes pre-
purchasing advice. 2000.
The First Week with My New PC:
A Very Basic Guide for Mature Adults and Everyone Else Who
Wants to "Get Connected" BR 13323
by Pamela R. Lessing
2 volumes
Step-by-step instructions to help novice computer users
perform basic tasks like writing and saving letters, sending
e-mail, playing electronic games, using CDs (compact discs),
and going on the Internet. Also lists helpful resources and
directions for connecting new equipment. 2000.
Health Care Resources on the Internet:
A Guide for Librarians and Health Care Consumers BR 13405
edited by M. Sandra Wood
3 volumes
An advanced guide for experienced Internet users on
searching for medical information. Offers instruction for
researching diseases, clinical trials, and alternative
medicine; accessing statistical data and electronic
journals; and using MEDLINE. 2000.
It's Never Too Late to Love a Computer: A Friendly First
Guide BR 13302
by Abby Stokes
2 volumes
Advises novice computer users on the basics. Covers the
parts of a computer (software and hardware), purchasing
tips, choosing between the Apple Macintosh and IBM-
compatible personal computers (PCs), and experimenting with
using
e-mail and word processing. Provides a glossary and lists
recommended web sites and other resources. 2000.
Web Accessibility for People with Disabilities BR 13355
by Michael G. Paciello
4 volumes
Advocates making the World Wide Web fully accessible for
people with disabilities and provides instructions for
designing and building web sites with the use of assistive
technology. Describes tools and utilities currently
available, outlines legal issues, and discusses problem
solving resources. 2000.
Windows 98 for Dummies BR 12979
by Andy Rathbone
4 volumes
Explains the basics of a home computer and the often
preinstalled Windows 98 software program. Includes
instructions for using e-mail and audio and video features,
and for surfing the World Wide Web using Internet Explorer
5. Also describes common problems. 1998.
Consumerism
How to Retire Rich: Time-Tested Strategies to Beat the
Market and Retire in Style BR 12753
by James O'Shaughnessy
3 volumes
Asserting that the only way to ensure wealth at retirement
is to invest in the stock market, investment writer
O'Shaughnessy provides proven formulas for obtaining better
results than the Standard & Poor's 500. He describes future
retirees with various financial situations and explains why
particular strategies would work best for each. 1998.
Roth IRA Book: An Investor's Guide BR 12644
by Gobind Daryanani
4 volumes
Details the pros and cons of the Roth individual retirement
account which, championed by Senator Roth, became law in
1998. This plan differs from the original IRA in that
deposits are not tax deferred and earnings are never taxed.
Discusses how to use with other retirement options. 1998.
Cooking
Alice Medrich's Cookies and Brownies BR 12574
by Alice Medrich
1 volume
The author of Chocolate and the Art of Low-fat Desserts (BR
10421) now provides recipes for shortbread, butter cookies,
chocolate cookies, cookie classics, biscotti, brownies, and
bars. She also instructs on techniques for decorating
cookies and making sandwich cookies, and discusses
ingredients and equipment. 1999.
The Book of Finger Foods BR 12726
by Hilaire Walden
1 volume
Eclectic assortment of recipes for dishes that can be eaten
with the fingers at parties, picnics, or light meals. Asian
crackers, Scotch eggs, shrimp toast, turkey and cranberry
rolls, baked new potatoes, seared scallop kabobs, Mexican
mini muffins, orange truffle cups, and cheesecake squares
are among the entries. 1999.
Cooking without Looking: Food Preparation Methods and
Techniques for Visually Handicapped Homemakers BR 13478
by Esther Knudson Tipps
2 volumes (Reissue)
Cooking methods and techniques developed through research at
the Texas School for the Blind. In addition to recipes, the
book gives basic principles of meal planning, marketing,
food preparation, table service, and food storage. 1986.
The Food of Asia: Authentic Recipes from China, India,
Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam
BR 13479
by Kong Foong Ling
3 volumes
Offers over three hundred recipes and gives an overview of
each country, discussing the land, the people, their
culture, and their foods. 1998.
Mastering the Art of French Cooking: Volume 1 BR 12229
by Julia Child and others
8 volumes
Classic cookbook, originally written in 1961, offering
advice and recipes for beginners and experienced cooks.
Presents step-by-step instructions for each recipe, with
special attention to basic recipes that are the backbone of
French cuisine. Discusses equipment and the buying and
handling of ingredients. Companion to Mastering the Art of
French Cooking, Volume 2 (BR 12230). 1983.
Oz Clarke's Introducing Wine BR 13620
by Oz Clarke
2 volumes
Asserting that wine should be chosen for its flavor, Clarke
offers a guide to the range of wine tastes available
throughout the world. He presents fifteen broad styles,
tells how each is unique, and gives tips on buying and
storing wine. Includes section on worldwide wine producing.
2000.
Pillsbury Fast and Healthy Cookbook: 350 Easy Recipes for
Every Day
BR 12485
by Pillsbury Company
5 volumes
A collection of recipes with nutritional information, tips
on cooking and storage, advice about ingredients, and
suggestions for making meals varied and interesting.
Preparation times are generally less than thirty minutes.
1998.
Preserving for All Seasons BR 12633
by Anne Gardon
1 volume
A guide to canning and pickling fresh fruits and vegetables
throughout the year. Offers recipes for every season with
creative suggestions for using the products. Includes
directions for preparing pears in wine, Indian chutney,
Chinese pickles, and other unusual concoctions. 1999.
A Spoonful of Ginger: Irresistible Health-Giving Recipes
from Asian Kitchens BR 13155
by Nina Simonds
3 volumes
Recipes inspired by the Asian holistic philosophy of eating
meals that are good for you, seasonally appropriate, and
flavorful, with a balance of yin and yang-the complementary
forces that cool or warm the body. Discusses foods that help
relieve various medical conditions; includes formulas for
herbal tonics. 1999.
The White House Family Cookbook BR 13484
by Henry Haller
5 volumes
White House executive chef presents recipes for informal
first-family gatherings and state occasions. Includes the
Johnsons' Texas-style barbecued ribs, the poached egg and
hash Nixon requested for his farewell breakfast, the Fords'
chocolate angel food cake, the Carters' fried fish with hush
puppies, and Reagan's favorite macaroni and cheese. Personal
memories embellish text. 1987.
Crime
The Adversary: A True Story of Monstrous Deception BR 13546
by Emmanuel CarrŠre
1 volume
An account of the career of Jean-Claude Romand, who in 1993
murdered his wife, children, and parents. For eighteen years
he had posed as a physician at the World Health Organization
in Geneva, while defrauding-and perhaps killing-his elderly
relatives. The author examines Romand's deception, looking
for explanations for evil. Some strong language. 2000.
In the Cellar BR 13225
by Jan Philipp Reemtsma
2 volumes
A wealthy, noted German intellectual describes his harrowing
1996 abduction, the thirty-three days he spent chained in a
cellar during ransom negotiations, his release, and the
onslaught of reporters. Throughout, he explores the effect
the ordeal has had on his psyche. Some violence. 1999.
The New Jackals: Ramzi Yousef, Osama bin Laden, and the
Future of Terrorism BR 13625
by Simon Reeve
4 volumes
British journalist traces the capture of Pakistan-born
Muslim extremist Ramzi Yousef, who masterminded the 1993
bombing of the World Trade Center, among other crimes.
Examines Yousef's relationship to Osama bin Laden, the
creation of the al Qaeda terrorist network, and the dangers
of jihad against the West. 1999.
Shallow Grave in Trinity County BR 12442
by Harry Farrell
4 volumes
In April of 1955, Berkeley junior high student Stephanie
BRyan disappeared on her way home from school. California
journalist Farrell describes the events that happened after
her purse was found in the basement of a young Alameda
couple. The husband, Burton Abbott, was soon accused of her
murder. 1997.
Diet and Nutrition
Balance Your Body, Balance Your Life: Dr. Taub's Twenty-
Eight-Day Permanent Weight Loss Plan BR 12573
by Edward A. Taub
4 volumes
Medical doctor outlines an integrative month-long regimen of
eating and exercising patterns, which he claims will lead to
permanent weight loss, better health, and more energy. Diet
stresses "live" foods, including fresh fruits and
vegetables, eaten at optimal times of day. Exercise centers
on walking and yoga stretches. 1999.
Strong Women Stay Slim BR 12819
by Miriam E. Nelson
3 volumes
In this companion to Strong Women Stay Young (BR 11896) the
author continues with advice on exercising with weights in
order to develop strength, build bone, improve balance and
flexibility, and increase energy. Presents pertinent
scientific evidence, sample exercises, and healthful
recipes. 1998.
Drama
Arcadia BR 13248
by Tom Stoppard
1 volume
The action of the play shuttles back and forth between the
early nineteenth century and the late twentieth century in a
room at Sidley Park in Derbyshire. The 1990s characters
examine writings and garden plans to find evidence
supporting various speculations-including one that Lord
Byron had killed someone there. Some strong language. 1993.
Betrayal BR 13253
by Harold Pinter
1 volume
Play centered around an adulterous affair between Robert and
his best friend Jerry's wife, Emma. Two years after they
stopped seeing each other, the former lovers meet at a pub
and reminisce. Some strong language. 1978.
Dinner with Friends BR 12986
by Donald Margulies
1 volume
Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy-drama in which two married
couples who have been close friends for years are in the
process of examining their interrelationships when one
couple breaks up. Gabe and Karen, who introduced the
divorcing couple Tom and Beth, find themselves wondering
about their own marriage. Some strong language. 2000.
The Miracle Worker: A Play for Television BR 13555
by William Gibson
1 volume
Depicts the beginning of the lifelong relationship between
deaf and blind Helen Keller and her tutor, Annie Sullivan.
When Annie arrives at the Keller household, she finds a
spoiled, fractious child who cannot communicate. Annie
teaches Helen to finger spell and searches for a way to show
her what different words mean. 1956.
Moonlight BR 13409
by Harold Pinter
1 volume
Psychological drama about a dysfunctional family. A father,
Andy, is on his deathbed, trying to justify his past as his
wife, Bel, looks after him. Of his three offspring only the
youngest, daughter Bridget, is in attendance, while sons
Fred and Jake seem to prefer their estrangement. Strong
language. 1993.
Much Ado about Nothing BR 13166
by William Shakespeare
3 volumes (Reissue)
A comic drama concerning two pairs of lovers-Hero and
Claudio, Beatrice and Benedick-and the complications that
arise when a jealous troublemaker slyly casts a shadow on
the honor of one of the women. First performed in 1598 and
published in 1600. 1995.
Plays and Fragments BR 12773
by Menander
3 volumes
Menander (c. 341-291 B.C.), whose works pioneered the
representation in drama of ordinary people, is known as the
foremost innovator of the New Comedy of ancient Greece. In
addition to several fragments unearthed in the twentieth
century A.D., this collection includes Old Cantankerous and
The Girl from Samos. 1987.
Family
"I Remain in Darkness" BR 12735
by Annie Ernaux
1 volume
Journal in which French writer Annie Ernaux recorded her
mother's deterioration from Alzheimer's disease. Describes
her mother's worsening memory lapses and the difficulties of
caring for her at home before placing her in a long-term
geriatric ward. 1999.
My Sense of Silence: Memoirs of a Childhood with Deafness
BR 13371
by Lennard J. Davis
2 volumes
Memoir of a baby boomer who was raised in a working-class
BRonx neighborhood by immigrant Jewish parents who were
deaf. Davis describes communicating in sign language before
he could speak, recalls family relationships that included a
much older brother, and assesses the advantages and
problems inherent in his childhood. 2000.
Gardening
Allergy-Free Gardening: The Revolutionary Guide to Healthy Landscaping
BR 12817
by Thomas Leo Ogren
4 volumes
Horticulturist presents a system of rating plants for their
allergen-producing potential and urges gardeners to avoid
those highest on the list. Mentions more than three thousand
varieties; includes descriptions, suggested locations, and
possible problems. Offers tips, such as using female
specimens to eliminate pollen, and recommends hard pruning
and other gardening techniques. 2000.
A Year in Our Gardens: Letters by Nancy Goodwin and Allen
Lacy BR 13664
by Nancy Goodwin and Allen Lacy
2 volumes
Goodwin (North Carolina) and Lacy (New Jersey) live in the
same climate zone, but deal with very different growing
conditions. After corresponding for several years, they
began a year-long exchange of letters in December 1997,
wherein they offer insights into the world around them,
discussing everything from Mozart to mulch. 2001.
General
America's Library: The Story of the Library of Congress,
1800-2000 BR 12707
by James Conaway
3 volumes
A history of this cultural institution-often considered the
world's greatest library-and the thirteen Librarians of
Congress who guided its development. Discusses its
transformation from modest legislative resource to the vast
national library of the United States. Describes some of the
variety found in its diverse collection of over 115 million
items. 2000.
Dear Exile: The True Story of Two Friends Separated (for a
Year) by an Ocean BR 12995
by Hilary Liftin and Kate Montgomery
1 volume
Former college roommates' letters to each other during the
year Montgomery and her new husband spent in Africa as Peace
Corps teachers. Liftin discusses her New York jobs,
relationships, apartments, and weird neighbors; Montgomery
describes the illness, poverty, and people of her temporary
home. Some strong language. 1999.
Folk Shawls: Twenty-five Knitting Patterns and Tales from
around the World BR 13489
by Cheryl Oberle
1 volume
Describes patterns for square, rectangular, and triangular
wraps-many using only one color of yarn. Briefly reviews
techniques, then discusses the heritage of each piece and
gives directions for making it. The projects include the
Irish diamond (square), Japanese kimono (rectangular), and
lacy prairie (triangular) shawls. 2000.
Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House BR
12601
by Cheryl Mendelson
13 volumes
Helpful hints on a range of domestic topics-planning and
preparing meals, doing laundry, cleaning each room in a
home, preserving books and furniture, caring for pets, fire
safety, and many others. Includes guidelines for both the
novice and longtime housekeeper and bits of wisdom gained
from older relatives. Bestseller 1999.
The Mythology of Native North America BR 13258
by David Leeming and Jake Page
2 volumes
Introduces seventy-two myths-with such noteworthy characters
as Coyote, Spider Woman, Glooscap, Water Jar Boy, and the
maiden who fell out of the sky-derived from a variety of
Native American cultures and language groups. The authors'
commentary places these tales within the context of world
mythology. 1998.
Government, Law, and Politics
Calamities of Exile: Three Nonfiction Novellas BR 13154
by Lawrence Weschler
3 volumes
Profiles of three political activists exiled from
totalitarian regimes: Kanan Makiya, an architect from Iraq;
Jan Kavan, student protester from Czechoslovakia; and
Breyten Breytenbach, poet and painter from South Africa.
Based on interviews with the subjects, their families, and
friends. 1998.
Compassionate Conservatism: What It Is, What It Does, and
How It Can Transform America BR 13372
by Marvin Olasky
2 volumes
The author summarizes the principles of compassionate
conservatism as he observes how faith-based organizations
work among the poor. Also describes the tools needed by
these antipoverty programs to succeed and gives suggestions
for implementing them. Foreword by George W. Bush. 2000.
Deadlock: The Inside Story of America's Closest Election BR
13378
3 volumes
Washington Post political journalists describe the 2000
presidential election finale in Florida, detailing the
counting techniques, legal maneuvers, and the court battle
for the state's electoral votes. Explores the decisions that
led Gore to pursue recounts and Bush the Supreme Court.
Bestseller 2001.
Matters of State: A Political Excursion BR 13590
by Philip Hamburger
2 volumes
A collection of essays about people and places in American
politics, most of
which appeared first in the New Yorker. Hamburger, who began
covering politicians for the magazine in 1939, has a
fondness for inaugurations and includes observations of the
inaugurals of presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower,
Johnson, Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton. 2000.
My Spy: Memoir of a CIA Wife BR 13209
by Bina Cady Kiyonaga
3 volumes
The Baltimore-born author describes her marriage to Joe
Kiyonaga, a Japanese-American who worked for the CIA from
1949 until his death from cancer in 1977, and the overseas
adventures provided by his career. She promised her husband
on his death bed that she would tell his story. 2000.
No Place for a Woman: A Life of Senator Margaret Chase Smith
BR 13231
by Janann Sherman
4 volumes
Biography based on interviews with the former politician
from Maine, the first woman U.S. senator. Recalls Smith's
thirty-three years in Washington that began after a special
election to complete her late husband's term as
representative. Delves into her often-controversial views,
including her reluctance to be labeled a feminist even while
supporting equal rights. 2000.
Nuclear Proliferation: The Problems and Possibilities BR
12661
by Glenn Alan Cheney
1 volume
Explores the issue of nuclear proliferation and the dangers
it poses. Discusses the history and development of the
weapons, various treaties regulating their use, and current
threats posed by the technology following the breakup of
the Soviet Union. Offers suggestions for international
cooperation. For junior and senior high readers. 1999.
The Rehnquist Court and the Constitution BR 13316
by Tinsley E. Yarbrough
5 volumes
Analysis of the United States Supreme Court under the
direction of William H. Rehnquist. Chronicles fifteen years
of decisions and provides biographical sketches of the
justices. Dissects the court's rulings on government power,
criminal justice, equal protection, and the freedoms of
religion, expression, and association. 2000.
Two Faces of Liberalism BR 13577
by John Gray
2 volumes
English economist and social philosopher discusses the
liberal political tradition, aiming to revitalize liberal
thought for an emergent postmodern world order. Analyzes the
two meanings of the concept of "tolerance," contrasting the
universalist ideal exemplified by Locke and Kant with the
pluralist thinking of Hobbes and Hume. 2000.
Uneasy Neighbors: Cuba and the United States BR 12536
by Rhoda Hoff and Margaret Regler
2 volumes
A collection of primary sources that focus on key historical
and political events involving the United States and Cuba.
Includes material dealing with Christopher Columbus, the
sinking of the Maine, a yellow fever epidemic, Teddy
Roosevelt and the Rough Riders, Fidel Castro, and the Bay of
Pigs. For senior high and older readers. 1997.
Humor
Driving Mr. Albert: A Trip across America with Einstein's
Brain BR 13332
by Michael Paterniti
2 volumes
As the author chauffeurs Dr. Thomas Harvey and the pickled
remains of Einstein's brain from New Jersey to California,
he recalls salient facts about the scientific genius,
contemplates mysteries of the brain, and ponders the
eccentricity of his traveling companion. Some strong
language. 2000.
Kilroy Was Here: The Best American Humor from World War II
BR 13649
edited by Charles Osgood
1 volume
Radio and television anchorman edits and introduces a
collection of essays, jokes, and poems from the Second World
War. Includes "A Dictionary of American Military Slang 1941-
1944"; spoofs featuring Artie Greengroin, Pfc.; and
selections from Yank magazine and the Reader's Digest's
regular "Humor in Uniform" feature. Some strong language.
2001.
Leo Rosten's Carnival of Wit and Wisdom: Plus Wisecracks,
Ad-Libs, Malaprops, Puns, One-Liners, Quips, Epigrams, Boo-
Boos, Dazzling Ironies, and Wizardries of Wording, Plus
Surprising Tidbits from Politics, Philosophy, Biography, and
(Yes!) Gossip-from Aristotle to Woody Allen BR 12487
compiled by Leo Rosten
4 volumes
Over 5,000 items to tickle your funny bone. 1994.
Not So Funny When It Happened: The Best of Travel Humor and
Misadventure BR 13531
edited by Tim Cahill
2 volumes
This anthology of humorous travel accounts includes pieces
by Anne Lamott, Bill Bryson, J.P. Donleavy, Dave Barry, and
Tim Cahill. The incidents occurred in such faraway places as
Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Mexico, China, Morocco, Australia, and
India, as well as right here in the United States. 2000.
Inspiration
Brother Frank BR 12710
by Frank Minucci and William Hoffman
2 volumes
Inspirational memoir of a drug-addicted career criminal, who
at age forty-one reformed his life following a near-death
experience and religious epiphany. Recounts his early years
as an abused child and delinquent teen, his lawless
adulthood, his redemption, and his work as a Christian
minister. Some violence. 1998.
How to Be Born Again BR 13485
by Billy Graham
2 volumes
Veteran Christian evangelist explains the phrase "born
again" as a biblical message that dates back two thousand
years. Outlines the steps that can lead to a personal and
religious turnabout. 1977.
The Secret of Happiness BR 13601
by Billy Graham
2 volumes
Offers advice on how to apply the simple yet revolutionary
formulas of the King James Version of the Beatitudes in
everyday life in order to achieve serenity and contentment.
1955.
Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's
Greatest Lesson BR 12800
by Mitch Albom
1 volume
Some twenty years after college, Mitch Albom rekindles his
relationship with a former professor who is terminally ill.
His weekly visits with his dying mentor become a colloquium
on the meaning of life, and Albom gains insight into "love,
work, community, family, aging, forgiveness, and, finally,
death." Bestseller 1997.
Language and Linguistics
Braille: Into the Next Millennium BR 13188
by National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped
4 volumes
Essays examining the history and future of braille include
such topics as the development of the literary, Nemeth, and
music codes; braille production; legal issues; library
service; and literacy and computer access concerns. Edited
by Judith Dixon, with a foreword by Frank Kurt Cylke and a
preface by Kenneth Jernigan. 2000.
Deep Writing: Seven Principles That Bring Ideas to Life BR
13047
by Eric Maisel
1 volume
A psychotherapist and writer prescribes seven principles for
"deep writing," which he defines as "writing passionately
and well about those things that really matter to you."
Contends that psychological blocks, rather than lack of
talent, most frequently prevent aspiring authors from
achieving success. 1999.
The Elements of Style BR 12727
by William Strunk and E.B. White
1 volume
A compendium of specific tips to encourage writers to be
clear, brief, and bold. This fourth edition of E.B. White's
revision of Strunk's classic style manual is modestly
updated to accommodate gender references and to provide
fresh examples. Contains a foreword by Roger Angell. 2000.
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft BR 12802
by Stephen King
2 volumes
Prolific bestselling horror novelist describes his writing
technique and gives tips for aspiring authors. King also
discusses pertinent events from his childhood and tells of
the near-fatal accident in 1999, when he was hit by a truck
while taking his daily walk. Some strong language.
Bestseller 2000.
The Secret Lives of Words BR 12969
by Paul West
3 volumes
A word lover pays homage to some four hundred words and
explains their derivation. An entertaining exploration of
the "double, multiple identity of words" and their
convoluted journey into English. Begins with abacus and
proceeds through the alphabet to end with zymurgist. Some
strong language. 2000.
Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in
Plain English BR 12538
by Patricia T. O'Conner
2 volumes
Presents lessons in grammar and oddities of the English
language for anyone who wants to speak and write more
clearly. Explains pronouns, plurals, possessives, verb
agreement, punctuation, modifiers, cliches, and outdated
grammar rules to help those who need to improve their oral
and written language skills. For senior high and older
readers. 1996.
Words Fail Me: What Everyone Who Writes Should Know about
Writing BR 12968
by Patricia T. O'Conner
2 volumes
A user's manual for writing well. Emphasizes that good prose
is more craft than art. Provides tips and techniques to
improve writing skills and avoid pitfalls, whether for term
papers, reports, newsletters, or a novel. For senior high
and older readers. 1999.
Legal Issues
Americans with Disabilities: Exploring Implications of the
Law for Individuals and Institutions BR 12996
edited by Leslie Pickering Francis and Anita Silvers
7 volumes
Essays by leading philosophers, legal scholars, and
political theorists-many with backgrounds in bioethics or in
disability studies-examine critical issues concerning the
conceptual, philosophical, political, and legal foundations
of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) passed in 1990.
2000.
Brown v. Board of Education: Equal Schooling for All BR
13039
by Harvey Fireside and Sarah Betsy Fuller
1 volume
Discusses the 1954 Supreme Court case that dealt with school
segregation and ended the policy of maintaining separate
institutions by race. Discusses the historical background,
conditions in Kansas that prompted the legal challenge, and
the nationwide impact of the decision. For junior and senior
high readers. 1994.
Epperson v. Arkansas: The Evolution-Creationism Debate BR
13049
by Jonathan L. Thorndike
1 volume
Examines the 1968 Supreme Court case that dealt with the
question of whether teaching creationism rather than
evolution in Arkansas schools was acceptable. Also discusses
the history and theories behind the conflict. For junior and
senior high readers. 1999.
The Excuse Factory: How Employment Law Is Paralyzing the
American Workplace BR 13307
by Walter Olson
4 volumes
Cites negative impacts of employment legislation, including
laws regarding affirmative action, sex and age
discrimination, various forms of harassment, and the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Argues that the ADA
has actually harmed severely disabled workers in their
search for jobs commensurate with their skills. 1997.
Law 101: Everything You Need to Know about the American
Legal System BR 13033
by Jay M. Feinman
4 volumes
A law professor provides an overview of information
typically taught in the first year of law school. Using
well-known cases to illustrate his points, Feinman discusses
constitutional law; the litigation process; personal injury
and tort law; contract, criminal, and property law; and
more. 2000.
Miranda v. Arizona: Rights of the Accused BR 13044
by Gail Blasser Riley
1 volume
Details the 1966 U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn the
Arizona conviction of Ernesto Miranda for kidnapping and
rape. The ruling was based on the fact that Miranda was not
advised of his right to an attorney before being questioned
about the crime. For junior and senior high readers. 1994.
Police Brutality: An Anthology
BR 13275
edited by Jill Nelson
3 volumes
Essays by academics, historians, social critics, a Chicago
congressman, and a former New York City police detective
place corruption and brutality in intellectual and
historical context. Explains how these problems have
influenced America's culture. Details numerous incidents
perpetrated primarily against African Americans. 2000.
A Trial by Jury BR 13793
by D. Graham Burnett
2 volumes
An academic historian recounts his personal experiences as
jury foreman in the murder trial of a male prostitute.
Details of the crime provide necessary background to the
sequestered jury's heated discussions during the intense
sixty-six hours leading to a verdict. Reveals difficulties
inherent in the American legal system. Some descriptions of
sex. 2001.
Literature
About This Life: Journeys on the Threshold of Memory BR
12641
by Barry Lopez
2 volumes
Autobiographical essays reflecting on the travels,
adventures, and memories lodged in Lopez's mind that
contributed to his becoming a writer. He explores faraway
lands, islands, and seas; makes trips within the United
States; and ponders the connections to his interior world.
1998.
An American Album: One Hundred and Fifty Years of Harper's
Magazine BR 13228
edited by Lewis H. Lapham and Ellen Rosenbush
13 volumes
An anthology of stories, poems, essays, and first person
reports selected from each decade of the magazine.
Chronicles American cultural history with pieces by such
noted authors as Melville, Hawthorne, Theodore Roosevelt,
Sandburg, Steinbeck, Richard Wright, Plath, Baldwin,
Hofstadter, Tuchman, Alice Walker, Tom Wolfe, and Joyce
Carol Oates. 2000.
Bad Man Blues: A Portable George Garrett BR 13045
by George Garrett
2 volumes
A collection of nine short stories, nine humorous academic
anecdotes, and six personal essays reflecting on the
author's family. In the title piece a young African American
lawyer in Florida gains the attention of some white
attorneys by recounting the unusual twist in the last local
lynching. Some strong language. 1998.
For the Love of Books: One Hundred Fifteen Celebrated
Writers on the Books They Love Most BR 13101
compiled by Ronald B. Shwartz
4 volumes
In brief essays, 115 writers-mostly American, British, and
Canadian-identify three to six works that influenced or
affected them most deeply and explain why. Respondents to
editor Shwartz's invitation, arranged alphabetically,
include Dave Barry, Rita Dove, Penelope Fitzgerald, Pete
Hamill, Elmore Leonard, Ved Mehta, Joyce Carol Oates, Mario
Puzo, and Kurt Vonnegut. 1999.
Greene on Capri: A Memoir BR 12730
by Shirley Hazzard
1 volume
Novelist Shirley Hazzard creates a portrait of the British
author Graham Greene, based on her personal recollections.
Describes how she and her husband, Francis Steegmuller,
became lifelong friends with Greene in the late 1960s on the
historic Mediterranean isle of Capri-a haven for writers.
2000.
Herman Melville BR 13256
by Elizabeth Hardwick
1 volume
A critical interpretation of the nineteenth-century American
author and his work. Discusses his character, homoerotic
tendencies, and family life. Presents insightful analysis of
his major opus, Moby-Dick (BR 1608), as well as his other
novels, stories, and poems. 2000.
How to Read and Why BR 13309
by Harold Bloom
2 volumes
Literary critic Bloom presents "samplings" and
interpretations of his favorite literary works to affirm the
value of engaged reading. Among the authors discussed are
short-story masters Turgenev, Hemingway, Borges, and
Calvino; poets Whitman, Dickinson, Wordsworth, and Keats;
novelists Cervantes, Stendhal, Austen, Proust, Melville, and
Pynchon; and playwrights Shakespeare, Ibsen, and Wilde.
2000.
James Joyce BR 13182
by Edna O'Brien
2 volumes
An Irish writer pays tribute to the author of Ulysses (BR
10287) in this short biography. Describes him as "a tragic
man with a staggering genius for whom humor was a weapon."
She discusses his self-imposed exile and his elopement with
an uneducated girl, and evaluates their influence on his
writing. 1999.
Jane Austen BR 13602
by Carol Shields
1 volume
In this literary biography, writer Carol Shields throws
light on the works of the nineteenth-century English
novelist, Jane Austen. Discusses the private woman,
describing the quiet personal life of a "stern moralist" who
wrote "marriage novels" but never married. 2001.
Jonathan Swift: A Portrait BR 12772
by Victoria Glendinning
4 volumes
A biographical study of the eighteenth-century English
cleric best known for Gulliver's Travels (BR 12766).
Examines Swift's corrosive satires, poems, letters, and
other writings, as well as earlier biographies, to gain
insight into his elusive character. Probes his romantic
relations with the two women in his life-Stella and Vanessa.
1998.
Marcel Proust BR 13527
by Edmund White
1 volume
Sympathetic portrait of the early twentieth-century French
writer. Explores Proust's motivations in hiding his
homosexuality and Jewish background while becoming a
renowned literary figure. Provides insightful criticism of
his novels as well as their social context. 1999.
Milosz's ABCs BR 13594
by Czeslaw Milosz
3 volumes
In brief alphabetically arranged entries, the Polish Nobel
laureate, reflects on places, fictional and historical
figures, and abstract concepts. He offers his opinions on
such diverse topics as Simone de Beauvoir, Robert Frost,
Edward Hopper, America, Martinique and Guadeloupe, hatred,
the Polish language, and stupidity. 2001.
My Friend, My Friend: The Story of Thoreau's Relationship
with Emerson BR 13207
by Harmon Smith
3 volumes
Drawing heavily on their journals and letters, Smith
chronicles the twenty-five-year association between Ralph
Waldo Emerson, a financially well-placed teacher, and Henry
David Thoreau, a struggling student, which began at Harvard
in 1837. The relationship faltered for a while with the
publication of Walden, but was renewed when Thoreau's health
began to fail. 1999.
North of Now: A Celebration of Country and the Soon to Be
Gone BR 12242
by W.D. Wetherell
2 volumes
The author laments the passing of the quiet country
lifestyle. Wetherell lives in rural New Hampshire and
reminisces about pleasures in the simple things in life-
trout fishing, stargazing, reading, and walking. Describes
"baby boomers" as links between the world as it has been for
centuries and the new millennium. 1998.
Plutarch: The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans, Volume
2 BR 12636
by A.H. Clough
8 volumes
Biographical accounts of noble Greeks and Romans from
mythological times through the early second century A.D.
This 1864 revision of Dryden's classic seventeenth-century
translation compares the character, moral conduct, and fates
of such noted figures as Demosthenes and Cicero, providing
rich descriptions of social life in the Mediterranean world.
1992.
Quarrel and Quandary: Essays BR 13668
by Cynthia Ozick
2 volumes
A wide-ranging collection of pieces, previously published in
a variety of periodicals. Includes reflections on the
commercialization of Anne Frank, a comparison of the
Unabomber to Dostoyevsky's disturbing murderer Raskolnikov,
reconsiderations
of Henry James and Franz Kafka, and personal recollections.
Nat'l Book Critics Circle Award. 2000.
Random Harvest BR 12544
by James Thomas Flexner
3 volumes
Collection of short stories and essays on America's history
and art, written by the recipient of a special Pulitzer
Prize and a National Book Award. Flexner includes his 1929
commencement address at Harvard, portrayals of noted
American personalities, articles first published in the New
York Herald Tribune, and personal memoirs. 1998.
Road-Side Dog BR 12654
by Czeslaw Milosz
1 volume
In stories, poems, and essays an aged Nobel laureate
reflects on a wide range of topics including America,
religion, the magic of love, the secret charm of cats, and
the process of aging. These musings reveal the insights and
wisdom of his eighty-seven years. 1998.
Something Happened Yesterday BR 12599
by Beryl Bainbridge
2 volumes
Fifty articles written over a period of six years for the
Evening Standard in London describing events that were
experienced by the author. Includes mundane occurrences such
as a street fair, cinemas, and her family's antics, as well
as societal observations. 1998.
The Souls of Black Folk BR 13240
by W.E.B. Du Bois
2 volumes
Essays and sketches published in 1903 examine African
American experiences, spirituality, and struggles in the
South after the Civil War. Recalls some historical
milestones; argues that emancipation should have meant
immediate equality rather than slow progress toward this
ideal. Questions the lack of personal leadership in black
communities. 1903.
Virginia Woolf BR 13339
by Nigel Nicolson
1 volume
An affectionate portrait of the British author by a
biographer who remembers her from his childhood. Offers
Nicolson's interpretation of Woolf's relationship with her
half brothers and its effect on her sexuality. Covers her
marriage, circle of friends in Bloomsbury, views on
feminism, voluminous writings, and intermittent bouts of
madness. 2000.
Walden; or, Life in the Woods
BR 12576
by Henry David Thoreau
3 volumes (Reissue)
Philosophical observations recorded during an experiment in
simple living at a small pond near Concord, Massachusetts.
Thoreau's essays include his detailed observations of nature
and his comments on the world's problems. He says that "the
mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation." 1854.
Wasn't the Grass Greener?
A Curmudgeon's Fond Memories
BR 13029
by Barbara Holland
2 volumes
Thirty-three essays lamenting the passing of a simpler,
traditional way of life at the end of the twentieth century.
The author reminisces about the card games and front porches
that "brought us together" and about the increasing disdain
for family heirlooms in this age of planned obsolescence.
1999.
Why Read the Classics? BR 12678
by Italo Calvino
3 volumes
The title essay presents the author's fourteen-point
definition of the literary term "classic." The following
thirty-five pieces comment on his personal choices: "the
writers, poets, and scientific authors who had meant the
most to him, at different stages of his life." 1999.
You Can't Catch Death: A Daughter's Memoir BR 13438
by Ianthe Brautigan
2 volumes
Ianthe was twenty-four when her father, writer Richard
BRautigan, committed suicide in 1984. Raised by her father,
Ianthe knew a different man from the one portrayed in the
obituaries. She relates her progression from loneliness and
fear to acceptance as she untangles the confusion left at
her father's death. Some strong language. 2000.
Marriage and Sex
A Little Pregnant: Our Memoir of Fertility, Infertility, and
a Marriage BR 12742
by Linda Carbone and Ed Decker
2 volumes
In alternating chapters, a husband and wife describe the
nine years they spent trying to conceive. Although Ed was
the one who wanted a child at any cost, they were equally
caught up in infertility treatments, miscarriages, and an
adoption attempt. Finally their daughter arrives, but not as
they had planned. 1999.
Something New: Reflections on the Beginning of a Marriage
BR 12755
by Amanda Beesley
2 volumes
Expanded from a series of columns written for Self magazine,
this book describes the author's first year of marriage.
Both freelance writers, Beesley and her husband leave New
York City for a year of country living. Meanwhile, Beesley
struggles to accept her mother's worsening dementia from
Alzheimer's disease. Some strong language. 2000.
Medicine and Health
Because Cowards Get Cancer Too: A Hypochondriac Confronts
His Nemesis BR 13106
by John Diamond
2 volumes
British columnist describes his experience in 1997 of having
a cyst in his neck that leads to the discovery of cancer in
his tongue. A self-described hypochondriac, Diamond wryly
observes his own reactions as diagnoses and treatments
become more and more grim. Includes excerpts from his
columns. 1998.
Breast Cancer BR 13509
by Janet Majure
1 volume
Discusses the symptoms, causes, treatments, and prevention
of breast cancer. Also presents a history of the disease
and ongoing research while stressing the importance of self-
examination and early detection. For senior high and older
readers. 2000.
Cancer: The Evolutionary Legacy BR 13201
by Mel Greaves
3 volumes
Examines cancer from a Darwinian perspective to enlighten
future understanding for improved prevention, detection, and
treatment of the disease. Cites historical examples and
modern concerns about male and female cancers. Discusses the
overriding factors to be considered in dealing with this
complex and often-fatal illness. 2000.
Dark Remedy: The Impact of Thalidomide and Its Revival as a
Vital Medicine BR 13621
by Trent Stephens and Rock Brynner
2 volumes
Scientist Stephens and historian Brynner trace the drug
thalidomide's history, from its role in the 1960s birth-
defect epidemic to its comeback as a treatment for leprosy,
AIDS, and some cancers. Discusses the responsibility of the
pharmaceutical industry, consequences to victims,
intervention by regulating agencies, and ongoing
revalidating research. 2001.
Health Care Resources on the Internet: A Guide for
Librarians and Health Care Consumers BR 13405
edited by M. Sandra Wood
3 volumes
An advanced guide for experienced Internet users on
searching for medical information. Offers instruction for
researching diseases, clinical trials, and alternative
medicine; accessing statistical data and electronic
journals; and using MEDLINE. 2000.
Jacobson's Organ and the Remarkable Nature of Smell BR
13494
by Lyall Watson
2 volumes
An exposition on the olfactory system, especially the
anatomical structure inside the human nose known as
Jacobson's Organ. Draws on biology and cultural history to
explain how animals, humans, and plants secrete and decode
odors. Discusses the role of smell in emotions and
sexuality. 2000.
Life's Delicate Balance: Causes and Prevention of Breast
Cancer BR 12938
by Janette D. Sherman
3 volumes
Doctor specializing in internal medicine and toxicology
discusses various agents-pesticides, industrial chemicals,
hormone additives, nuclear radiation, and others-that alter
the way cells grow and function. She proposes personal
choices and political actions that may reduce the risks of
BReast cancer and other malignancies. 2000.
Living Well, Staying Well: The Ultimate Guide to Help
Prevent Heart Disease and Cancer BR 12416
by American Heart Association and American Cancer Society
4 volumes
The two organizations detail the lifestyle strategies they
believe will protect against both cancer and heart disease.
Topics include giving up smoking, eating a healthy diet,
getting enough exercise, and undergoing medical tests
regularly. 1996.
Medicine's Ten Greatest Discoveries BR 13311
by Meyer Friedman and Gerald W. Friedland
3 volumes
Presents ten monumental discoveries that are considered
significant in shaping modern medicine. Describes the
scientists responsible and others who continued their
research as well as the shared traits that made their
achievements possible. Includes Edward Jenner and
vaccination, Alexander Fleming and antibiotics, and Maurice
Wilkins and DNA. 1998.
The Other Diabetes: Living and Eating Well with Type 2
Diabetes BR 12556
by Elizabeth Hiser
3 volumes
Describes the condition of adult-onset diabetes, how the
body works, and what goes wrong to cause the illness.
Explains optimum lifestyle practices needed to deal with the
disease and how to incorporate such changes into daily
living. Offers sample meals, recipes, and a resource guide.
1999.
Our Bodies, Ourselves for the New Century: A Book by and for
Women BR 13108
by Boston Women's Health Book Collective
17 volumes
This updated version of The New Our Bodies, Ourselves (BR
6075) discusses aspects of women's health, including
holistic medicine, emotional well-being, relationships,
sexual behavior, and childbearing. Also includes information
concerning disabilities and aging. Explicit descriptions of
sex. 1998.
The Right Moves: A Girl's Guide to Getting Fit and Feeling
Good BR 13054
by Tina Schwager and Michele Schuerger
3 volumes
An athletic trainer and a former competitive skater advise
teenagers on combining attitude, proper nutrition, and
exercise to achieve fitness. They discuss the pros and cons
of various workout options along with diets, eating
disorders, visualization, stretching, and more. For junior
and senior high readers. 1998.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases BR 13194
by Christine Perdan Curran
1 volume
Examines the history, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of
sexually transmitted diseases-both bacterial and viral-as
well as other contagious problems such as lice, scabies, and
fungi. Includes information on syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes,
AIDS, and hepatitis. For junior and senior high and older
readers. 1998.
She Came to Live Out Loud: An Inspiring Family Journey
through Illness, Loss, and Grief BR 12498
by Myra MacPherson
4 volumes
The author describes her experiences with a dynamic Maryland
woman during the last twenty months of her struggle to
survive breast cancer. Portrays Anna Johannessen's family
and friends and their efforts to care for her until her
death at age forty-five in 1997. Some strong language. 1999.
Sleep Thieves: An Eye-Opening Exploration into the Science
and Mysteries of Sleep BR 12528
by Stanley Coren
3 volumes
Explores the phenomenon of sleep and the dangers of sleep
deprivation. Using scientific facts and personal interviews,
author provides evidence that our society is increasingly
sleep deprived and notes the resulting problems. Presents
some ways to analyze personal sleep habits and needs with
tips for improvement. 1996.
A Spoonful of Ginger: Irresistible Health-Giving Recipes
from Asian Kitchens BR 13155
by Nina Simonds
3 volumes
Recipes inspired by the Asian holistic philosophy of eating
meals that are good for you, seasonally appropriate, and
flavorful, with a balance of yin and yang-the complementary
forces that cool or warm the body. Discusses foods that help
relieve various medical conditions; includes formulas for
herbal tonics. 1999.
Strong Women, Strong Bones: Everything You Need to Know to
Prevent, Treat, and Beat Osteoporosis BR 13186
by Miriam E. Nelson
3 volumes
The author of Strong Women Stay Young (BR 11896) prescribes
a strength training program and nutritional guidelines to
fight osteoporosis and osteopenia. She also discusses
diagnostic tests, medications-including hormone replacement
therapy-and myths regarding bone density. Provides an
altered program for men at risk. 2000.
Time of Our Lives: The Science of Human Aging BR 13370
by Tom Kirkwood
3 volumes
British professor of gerontology explains the science of
human aging as well as the demographic revolution occurring
as a result of the graying of the world's population. Seeks
to unravel the secrets of growing old in order to enhance
the quality of an extended life span. 1999.
The "What's Happening to My Body?" Book for Boys: A Growing-
Up Guide for Parents and Sons BR 12988
by Lynda Madaras
2 volumes
Provides an overview of puberty and discusses changes that
take place in a boy's shape, size, reproductive organs,
sexuality, hygiene requirements, and health concerns. Also
discusses puberty in girls. Updated edition of BR 7314. For
junior and senior high and older readers. 2000.
The "What's Happening to My Body?" Book for Girls: A
Growing-Up Guide for Parents and Daughters BR 12992
by Lynda Madaras
2 volumes
Provides an overview of puberty and discusses changes that
take place in a girl's shape, size, reproductive organs,
menstrual cycle, and sexuality. Also discusses puberty in
boys. Updated edition of BR 8039. For junior and senior
high and older readers. 2000.
Whose Body Is It Anyway? Smart Alternative and Traditional
Health Choices for Your Total Well-Being BR 12511
by Joan Kenley
3 volumes
Inspired by her own menopausal problems, a psychologist
presents information on concerns faced by women in midlife.
Topics include hormone treatments, physical appearance,
urinary and sexual problems, cancer, heart disease, and
osteoporosis. 1999.
Music
The Beatles Anthology BR 12804
7 volumes
Chronicle of the innovative English rock group comprised of
Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and John
Lennon, from their childhoods in Liverpool until their split
in 1970. Based largely on a 1994 television documentary
series, the book features interviews with the four musicians
and their close associates. Some strong language. Bestseller
2000.
For the Love of It: Amateuring and Its Rivals BR 12791
by Wayne Booth
3 volumes
A professor of English, who took up the cello at age thirty-
one and continued playing for over four decades, describes
the benefits and enjoyments of a hobby. Meditates on the
meaning of "fun," "work," and "love" while contrasting the
perspectives of amateur and professional. 1999.
Johannes Brahms: A Biography BR 11801
by Jan Swafford
8 volumes
Using primary sources, the author documents the life of
composer Johannes Brahms in the context of the social and
political atmosphere of nineteenth-century Austria. Brahms
himself destroyed much of his personal correspondence as
well as compositions he deemed inferior. Includes musical
examples to show Brahms's development. 1997.
The Life of Verdi BR 13684
by John Rosselli
2 volumes
Brief critical portrait of Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901), the
composer of twenty-six operas. Presents Verdi in the context
of the political and social climate of nineteenth-century
Italy. Discusses his personal life and relationships with
women, and analyzes some of his most important operas. 2000.
The Metropolitan Opera: Stories of the Great Operas BR
12702
by John W. Freeman
6 volumes
Describes the plots of 150 world-famous operas, featuring
works from sixteenth-century Italy through twentieth-century
America. Seventy-two composers are presented in alphabetical
order. Biographical sketches of the composers precede the
opera entries, each of which includes a list of characters
and a summary of each act. 1984.
Mozart BR 13252
by Peter Gay
2 volumes
A brief biography of the eighteenth-century Austrian child
prodigy, genius, and composer, whose life ended at age
thirty-five. Historian Gay perceives kernels of truth behind
the myths about Mozart and illuminates his musical
contributions. 1999.
Pete Seeger's Storytelling Book BR 13695
by Pete Seeger and Paul DuBois Jacobs
2 volumes
Veteran folksinger Seeger and poet Jacobs offer advice on
becoming a storyteller by embellishing old stories,
historical tales, and songs, as well as anecdotes from one's
own personal history. Includes examples from Seeger's vast
repertoire. 2000.
The Symphony: A Listener's Guide BR 11242
by Michael Steinberg
8 volumes
These essays on 118 symphonies by 36 composers were written
by the program annotator for the Boston, San Francisco, and
New York Philharmonic orchestras. Discusses works by
Beethoven, Brahms, Bruckner, Dvorak, Haydn, Mahler,
Mozart, Prokofiev, Schumann, Sibelius, Shostakovich,
Stravinsky, and Tchaikovsky. 1995.
Nature and the Environment
By the Light of the Glow-Worm Lamp: Three Centuries of
Reflections on Nature BR 12721
edited by Alberto Manguel
4 volumes
Thirty-eight natural history essays about landscapes, birds,
beasts, insects, and fish by such writers as Charles Darwin,
Mark Twain, Henry David Thoreau, Herman Melville, Annie
Dillard, Daniel Defoe, Rachel Carson, John James Audubon,
Theodore Roosevelt, J.H. Fabre, and Vladimir Nabokov. 1998.
The Condor's Shadow: The Loss and Recovery of Wildlife in
America BR 13119
by David S. Wilcove
3 volumes
An ecologist discusses the state of America's wildlife
including the loss of species and habitats. Provides an
overview of how humans have altered the landscape, beginning
with Native Americans in pre-colonial times. Describes the
destruction of ecosystems and the environmental movement's
conservation efforts. 1999.
Despicable Species: On Cowbirds, Kudzu, Hornworms, and Other
Scourges BR 12998
by Janet Lembke
2 volumes
Fourteen natural history essays contemplating a dozen
species that are loathed or scorned by humans: the sandbur,
gray squirrel, starling, horsefly, opossum, centipede, and
fruit fly among others. The author points out that all life
is interconnected and humans need to better appreciate the
diversity of the natural world. 1999.
A Fish Caught in Time: The Search for the Coelacanth BR
13381
by Samantha Weinberg
2 volumes
Chronicles 1938 discovery in South Africa of a fish with
limb-like fins, thought long extinct. Identified as a true
coelacanth, the creature predates Homo sapiens by almost 400
million years. Recounts original find and subsequent search
for more specimens, and portrays the personalities involved
in proving the continued existence of this living fossil.
2000.
Into the Porcupine Cave and Other Odysseys: Adventures of an
Occasional Naturalist BR 12731
by William W. Warner
2 volumes
Nature essays that depict outdoor wonders around the world.
The author reminisces about summers he spent exploring New
Jersey's Barnegat Bay in his youth, the coral reefs of
Peleliu seen during his service in World War II, and solo
hiking in the Maine wilderness at midlife. 1999.
The Science Times Book of Natural Disasters BR 13178
edited by Nicholas Wade
2 volumes
Columns from the New York Times weekly science section
dealing with natural catastrophes including volcanoes,
earthquakes, and hurricanes. Discusses disasters from the
past, such as the mass extinction of the dinosaurs, as well
as future threats like asteroids hitting the earth. For
senior high and older readers. 2000.
Vulcan's Fury: Man against the Volcano BR 12793
by Alwyn Scarth
3 volumes
Depicts fifteen volcanic eruptions across a wide
geographical and historical spectrum with emphasis on the
aftermaths and how people were affected. Spans the centuries
from A.D. 79 (Vesuvius) to 1991 (Pinatubo) in discussing
volcanos around the globe. Contains eyewitness reports from
survivors. 1999.
Philosophy
Bodies in Motion and at Rest BR 13510
by Thomas Lynch
2 volumes
Meditative essays on matters of life and death, composed by
a poet/funeral director. He explains that he has time on his
hands because he doesn't play golf, doesn't drink (anymore),
and is "married to an Italian." In "The Way We Are" he
discusses his family's addiction-alcoholism. Some strong
language. 2000.
Connections to the World: The Basic Concepts of Philosophy
BR 12794
by Arthur C. Danto
3 volumes
A survey of modern philosophy and guide to problems in
metaphysics and epistemology by a professor emeritus of
philosophy at Columbia University. Examines the work of
Plato, Berkeley, Descartes, Hume, and Wittgenstein, while
exploring the topics of the singularity of philosophical
thought, understanding, knowledge, and the world. 1989.
Descartes: His Life and Thought BR 13214
by GeneviŠve Rodis-Lewis
4 volumes
Biography of the seventeenth-century French philosopher. A
professor at the Sorbonne examines Descartes's intellectual
characteristics and psychological makeup and the influence
of cultural events on his development. Draws on his
correspondence and writings to explain his philosophical
method and contributions to mathematics. 1998.
The Examined Life: Readings from Western Philosophy from
Plato to Kant BR 12637
edited by Stanley Rosen
6 volumes
Representative texts by major philosophers grouped into six
categories: social and political thought, religion, art and
culture, metaphysics, epistemology, and science. Each
section is prefaced with an introduction to the topic.
Includes excerpts from works by Aristotle, Hobbes,
Augustine, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Hegel, Wittgenstein,
Descartes, Kuhn, and Ayala, among others. 2000.
Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy BR 13122
by Simon Blackburn
3 volumes
A primer "for people who want to think about the big themes:
knowledge, reason, truth, mind, freedom, destiny, identity,
God, goodness, justice." Explains the philosophical
approaches of Plato, Descartes, Leibniz, Kant, and other
major thinkers, drawing examples from everyday life to
clarify complex issues. 1999.
Poetry
Americans' Favorite Poems: The Favorite Poem Project
Anthology BR 12771
edited by Robert Pinsky and Maggie Dietz
3 volumes
Two hundred poems selected by Americans as their favorites
in response to an appeal from poet laureate Pinsky to mark
the bicentennial of the Library of Congress. Each work is
preceded by comments on why it was chosen. Writers
represented include Anna Akhmatova, John Ashbery, Andrew
Marvell, Pablo Neruda, W.B. Yeats, and others. 2000.
Ariel's Gift: Ted Hughes, Sylvia Plath, and the Story of
Birthday Letters BR 13643
by Erica Wagner
2 volumes
An exploration of the relationship between two poets and the
revelations in their writing. Examines the marriage and
separation of British Ted Hughes and American Sylvia Plath,
Plath's suicide, Hughes's decades-long silence, and his
personal poetic summing-up in Birthday Letters (BR 11462) of
1998. 2000.
Beowulf BR 12591
by Seamus Heaney
3 volumes
Nobel laureate Heaney presents a bilingual edition of the
tenth-century Anglo-Saxon epic, which includes the original
poem in Old English along with his new modern English verse
translation. The poem chronicles the feats of Scandinavian
warrior Beowulf, who battles with monsters and brings
wisdom to leadership. Whitbread Award. Bestseller 2000.
The Bird Catcher: Poems BR 12632
by Marie Ponsot
1 volume
A collection of fifty-two poems, some of which were
previously published in periodicals. Grouped under four
headings, each bearing the title of a poem in that section:
"For My Old Self"; "Separate, in the Swim"; "The Split Image
of Attention"; and "Explorers Cry Out Unheard." Nat'l Book
Critics Circle Award. 1998.
The Canterbury Tales BR 13235
by Geoffrey Chaucer
6 volumes
A modern English translation by Ronald L. Ecker and Eugene
J. Crook of Chaucer's fourteenth-century classic in which
pilgrims agree to a storytelling contest as they travel to
the shrine of Thomas … Becket in Canterbury. 1993.
The Collected Poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar BR 12719
by Paul Laurence Dunbar
4 volumes
Poetry by a nineteenth-century African American writer whose
works transcend race. Includes the entire contents of a 1913
collection; sixty other poems, some found in manuscript form
after Dunbar's death at thirty-three; and a biographical
introduction by editor Joanne M. Braxton. "Sympathy" was
authored during an assignment at the Library of Congress.
1993.
The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson BR 12581
by Emily Dickinson
6 volumes
The work of nineteenth-century American poet Emily Dickinson
collected in one volume. Includes all 1,775 poems in rough
chronological order. 1960.
Disowned by Memory: Wordsworth's Poetry of the 1790s BR
12797
by David Bromwich
2 volumes
A critical interpretation of the first decade of
Wordsworth's poetry. Combines biography, history, and
psychology to provide a context for such pieces as "Tintern
Abbey" and "The Old Cumberland Beggar." 1998.
Handwriting: Poems BR 12980
by Michael Ondaatje
1 volume
A collection of poems drawing on the history, landscape, and
religious imagery of the author's birthplace, Sri Lanka.
1998.
HIV, Mon Amour: Poems BR 12830
by Tory Dent
1 volume
An articulate cry from the heart depicting a woman's ongoing
battle with HIV. In the section titled "Cin‚ma V‚rit‚," she
refers to memorable movie scenes to convey an anguished
message to a dead lover. Some descriptions of sex and some
strong language. James Laughlin Award. 1999.
The Mercy: Poems BR 12822
by Philip Levine
1 volume
Thirty-seven poems in free verse celebrate human dignity and
the value of work on the journey from youth to old age,
innocence to knowledge, defeat to triumph, and inevitably
from life to death. In the title poem, the author's mother
arrives in the United States; the final work describes her
funeral. 1999.
Midnight Salvage: Poems, 1995-1998 BR 13294
by Adrienne Rich
1 volume
A collection of fourteen poems concerning the beauty and
fragility of life. In "Modotti," Rich evokes the spirit of
Tina Modotti, a political activist, revolutionary, and
photographer, with this opening line: "Your footprints of
light on sensitive paper..." Some descriptions of sex. 1999.
On the Bus with Rosa Parks: Poems BR 12555
by Rita Dove
1 volume
Over forty new poems by the former Poet Laureate celebrating
personal freedoms. Several sections explore the African
American experience in a historical context, while others
convey an individual reaction. "Maple Valley Branch
Library, 1967" describes the pleasures of voracious reading.
1999.
The One Hundred Best Poems of All Time BR 13554
edited by Leslie Pockell
2 volumes
A broad selection of poems from around the world and from
biblical times to the twentieth century. Short, lyrical
verses represent the work of one hundred diverse poets from
Homer and Sappho to Lewis Carroll, Pablo Neruda, Dylan
Thomas, and Maya Angelou. Some strong language. 2001.
Open Closed Open: Poems BR 13300
by Yehuda Amichai
2 volumes
This collection of personal and cultural history begins and
ends with poems in which Israel's leading poet recounts the
story of a fragmented stone engraved with the word "Amen"
that lies on his desk. Originally written in Hebrew, these
poems were translated by Chana Bloch and Chana Kronfeld.
2000.
Paradise Lost BR 12249
by John Milton
10 volumes (Reissue)
An epic poem based on the theme of mankind's fall from
grace, loss of innocence, and the struggle to return to
paradise. Elaborate symbolism is used to portray Satan's
battle with God, descent into Hell, and seduction of Adam
and Eve. 1993.
Poems BR 13262
by Robert Frost
2 volumes
Eighty-four pieces by New England poet Robert Frost (1874-
1963), as selected by John Hollander. Includes such
favorites as "Mending Wall," "The Road Not Taken," and
"Birches." 1997.
Reading Rilke: Reflections on the Problems of Translation
BR 13217
by William H. Gass
2 volumes
An interpretive study of the life and works of the German
poet Rainer Maria Rilke (1857-1926). Combines an
impressionistic biography of the temperamental artist, a
critical examination of his poetry, various renderings by
other translators, and Gass's own translation of The Duino
Elegies. 1999.
Rumi: A Spiritual Biography BR 13650
by Leslie Wines
2 volumes
Concise introduction to the life and times of the Sufi
mystic poet Rumi (1207-1273). Discusses Rumi's itinerant
childhood, the transforming experience of his friendship
with the eccentric dervish Shams al-Din of Tabriz, and the
creation of his poetry. 2000.
Seamus Heaney BR 12626
by Helen Vendler
2 volumes
A guide to understanding the works of the Irish poet who won
the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1995. Explains the
background and evolution of his poetry from Death of a
Naturalist in 1966 through The Spirit Level in 1996. 1998.
Selections from the Canzoniere and Other Works BR 13410
by Petrarch
1 volume
Translations of letters and lyrical verse from the
Canzoniere (Book of Songs) by the fourteenth-century Italian
diplomat and classical scholar who was crowned poet laureate
by Rome in 1341. Inspired by Petrarch's love for the
mysterious Laura, poems in this volume are divided into
those written before and after her death. 1985.
Ten Commandments: Poems BR 12639
by J.D. McClatchy
1 volume
Ten three-poem sets arranged to correspond to the biblical
precepts in the decalogue. In "My Mammogram," when a middle-
aged man's breast exam shows no cancer but an excess of
estrogen, he experiences "the end of life as I've known it,
that is to say-testosterone sported like a power tie." 1998.
Vain Empires: Poems BR 12649
by William Logan
1 volume
Thirty-one poems on disparate topics, many of which depict
historical figures and events, from Pliny the Elder to Keats
in India. The work "Van Gogh in the Pulpit" issues a harsh
pronouncement on sin, penance, and self-abasement. 1998.
Vice: New and Selected Poems BR 12756
by Ai
2 volumes
Fifty-eight selections from five books published between
1973 and 1993 and eighteen new poems. In dramatic monologs,
the speakers explore terror, desperation, and other raw
emotions on topics such as abortion, beatings, child and
wife abuse, politics, and race. National Book Award-Poetry.
1999.
The Vintage Book of African American Poetry BR 12769
edited by Michael S. Harper and Anthony Walton
3 volumes
Anthology covering more than two centuries of African
American poetry. Includes well-known poets Phillis Wheatley,
Paul Laurence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks,
and Rita Dove as well as lesser-known ones. A profile
introduces each writer. 2000.
Psychology and Self-Help
The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living BR 13301
by Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler
2 volumes
Following conversations with the Dalai Lama, psychiatrist
Cutler presents the Buddhist leader's methods for
maintaining happiness. The Dalai Lama believes genuine and
lasting inner peace may be attained through trust in the
fundamental gentleness and goodness of all human beings,
compassion, and a policy of kindness. Bestseller 1998.
Connect BR 12733
by Edward M. Hallowell
3 volumes
A psychiatrist offers suggestions for finding inner peace by
connecting with other people, as well as with traditions and
ideals. Uses anecdotes from his patients and his own life to
illustrate how to achieve satisfaction from relationships.
Explains how health and happiness depend on connections.
1999.
Holy Hunger: A Memoir of Desire BR 12499
by Margaret Bullitt-Jonas
2 volumes
An Episcopal priest describes her addiction to food and her
struggle to overcome it. Growing up with an alcoholic father
and an emotionally reclusive mother, Bullitt-Jonas became a
compulsive overeater. She eventually recovered with the help
of Overeaters Anonymous. 1998.
Living a Life That Matters: Resolving the Conflict between
Conscience and Success BR 13708
by Harold S. Kushner
1 volume
Author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People (BR 5310)
recommends that people stop judging success by fame, power,
and wealth, but measure their achievement by the positive
difference they make in the world. Advises finding a
meaningful life through family, friendship, and acts of
generosity. Bestseller 2001.
Oh No! Not Another Problem: A Practical Approach to Solve
Day-to-Day Problems
BR 13487
by Jeanette A. Griver and Michele W. Vodrey
1 volume
Authors advocate the use of "operational analysis"-a formula
designed to help people solve problems. Rather than looking
at a situation in general terms, they suggest categorizing
it in measurable dimensions: who, what, when, where, how,
why, and costs. Provides a ten-step guide to using this
technique for troubleshooting. Bestseller 2000.
Romantic Breakup: It's Not the End of the World BR 13454
by Jennifer Rozines Roy
1 volume
Discusses the social and psychological aspects of dating and
breaking up, as well as the elements of a healthy romantic
relationship. Offers advice on surviving emotionally and
obtaining help from others. For junior and senior high
readers. 2000.
Stiffed: The Betrayal of the American Man BR 12394
by Susan Faludi
8 volumes
Prize-winning journalist reassesses the masculine role in
U.S. society. Focuses on men born after World War II who
feel angry at the discrepancy between perceived promises and
the reality of their existence. Begins at a domestic
violence meeting and progresses to numerous interviews with
individuals in a wide range of occupations. Bestseller 1999.
Religion
The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living BR 13301
by Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler
2 volumes
Following conversations with the Dalai Lama, psychiatrist
Cutler presents the Buddhist leader's methods for
maintaining happiness. The Dalai Lama believes genuine and
lasting inner peace may be attained through trust in the
fundamental gentleness and goodness of all human beings,
compassion, and a policy of kindness. Bestseller 1998.
Blessed Assurance: A History of Evangelicalism in America
BR 13115
by Randall Balmer
2 volumes
Examines how religion has shaped American life, from
evangelicalism in colonial times to the advent of the
religious right in the late twentieth century. Explores the
effects of the First Amendment on culture and how religious
movements in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries
influenced subsequent politics. 1999.
Buddha BR 13356
by Karen Armstrong
2 volumes
A biographical study of the revered religious leader,
traditionally thought to have died in India in 483 B.C.
Traces the main events of his life, from his renunciation of
family through his quest for enlightenment, as evidenced in
his teachings. Examines his philosophy for its message to
humanity. Bestseller 2001.
The Catholic Vision BR 12908
by Edward D. O'Connor
6 volumes
A Roman Catholic priest and Notre Dame theology professor
discusses the mysteries of God, Jesus Christ, and the
Church. Outlines defining features, teachings, and practices
of his religion. Asserts that Catholic doctrine is coherent,
intelligible, reasonable, and socially relevant. Disputes
the notion of a conflict between faith and reason. 1992.
Catholics and American Culture: Fulton Sheen, Dorothy Day,
and the Notre Dame Football Team BR 12456
by Mark S. Massa
4 volumes
Account of Roman Catholicism in America from 1945 to 1970
and the Church's growing social and cultural influence after
World War II. Focuses on religious implications of political
and cultural events and discusses such key figures as Fulton
Sheen, Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day, and John F. Kennedy.
1999.
Church and Revolution: Catholics in the Struggle for
Democracy and Social Justice BR 12513
by Thomas Bokenkotter
6 volumes
Traces the transformation of the Catholic Church from a
conservative institution during the French Revolution to a
progressive force in twentieth-century world affairs.
Portrays religious and political figures such as Daniel
O'Connell, Bishop Henry Edward Manning, Michael Collins,
Dorothy Day, and Lech Walesa, and assesses their
contributions to this change. 1998.
Dancing in the Water of Life: Seeking Peace in the
Hermitage; the Journals of Thomas Merton, Volume 5, 1963-
1965 BR 11540
by Thomas Merton
4 volumes
In these diaries the monk and author chronicles the years
during which he struggled to reconcile his life of
contemplation with his interest in the reform movements of
the church and society. As Merton pondered the "absurdity"
of worldly concerns, he continued to enjoy "dancing in the
water of life." 1997.
The Diamond Sutra and The Sutra of Hui-Neng BR 13285
translated by A.F. Price and Mou-lam Wong
2 volumes
The Diamond Sutra, a sacred Buddhist scripture, passed into
written format in the fourth century A.D. Price's English
translation of the text was made in 1947. In 1929 Wong made
the first English translation of The Sutra of Hui-Neng, a
T'ang dynasty record of sermons and sayings belonging to the
Zen tradition. 1947.
The Final Harvest: Medjugorje at the End of the Century BR
13167
by Wayne Weible
2 volumes
A sympathetic account of the apparitions at the village of
Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where the Blessed Virgin
Mary reportedly appeared regularly between 1981 into 1999.
Discusses the Virgin's pleas for humankind's spiritual
renewal, the experiences of pilgrims, and the possible
impact of these events upon the world. 1999.
The Greatest Success in the World BR 13227
by Og Mandino
1 volume
Fictionalized biblical story of Zacchaeus, who-despite
humble beginnings and physical handicaps-became the epitome
of the successful man. During the narrative, Zacchaeus
develops his philosophy for achieving life goals and lays
down his ten commandments to guide the individual along the
way. 1981.
The Healing Power of Faith: Science Explores Medicine's Last
Great Frontier BR 12655
by Harold G. Koenig
3 volumes
Describes how religious faith can help prevent and heal
cardiovascular disease, emotional illness, and a variety of
other disorders. The author, a psychiatrist and professor,
directs the Center for the Study of Religion/Spirituality
and Health at Duke University. 1999.
Islam: A Short History BR 13247
by Karen Armstrong
2 volumes
Describes the origin and spread of the religion of Islam.
Discusses Muhammad and his family, the Crusades, and the
powerful Moghul and Ottoman Empires. Explores Islam's
divergence into sects and the creation of a modern
fundamentalist movement. 2000.
Joan of Arc BR 12912
by Mary Gordon
2 volumes
Biographical meditation on the visionary fifteenth-century
French peasant girl who defied convention to become a
soldier and died at nineteen at her enemies' hands. Gordon
contemplates the mystery of a girl who came from nowhere to
rise to sainthood and has captivated the public imagination
for more than five hundred years. 2000.
Letter to a Man in the Fire: Does God Exist and Does He
Care? BR 12677
by Reynolds Price
1 volume
An essay based on the cancer-survivor author's response to a
terminally ill medical student's query regarding the
existence and nature of God. Drawing from religious
traditions, philosophy, literature, art, and personal
experience, the author offers a compelling and inspiring
argument for the existence of a caring and providential
Creator. 1999.
An Open Heart: Practicing Compassion in Everyday Life BR
13784
by Dalai Lama
1 volume
Companion to The Art of Happiness
(BR 13301) provides the Dalai Lama's teachings to introduce
the core of Buddhism. Weaves together his spiritual
guidelines for everyday living with two ancient Buddhist
texts. Contains text of the Dalai Lama's 1999 New York
address. Bestseller 2001.
Prayer for People Who Think Too Much: A Guide to Everyday,
Anywhere Prayer from the World's Faith Traditions BR 13497
by Mitch Finley
2 volumes
Exploring the traditional and innovative customs of the
world's major religions, an award-winning author defines
prayer as a holistic daily practice designed to enrich the
body, mind, and spirit. Urges people of all faiths and
backgrounds to reevaluate the power of prayer and live each
moment in God's presence. 1999.
Risks of Faith: The Emergence of a Black Theology of
Liberation, 1968-1998 BR 13181
by James H. Cone
2 volumes
A professor of systematic theology at Union Theological
Seminary evaluates the black liberation struggle over thirty
years in the context of Christ's teachings. Argues that the
African American church provides a foundation for political
and social activism. Identifies Martin Luther King Jr. as
one of the nation's most important theologians. 1999.
Rocks of Ages: Science and Religion in the Fullness of Life
BR 12768
by Stephen Jay Gould
2 volumes
The popular science writer and paleontologist offers a
proposal for healing the rift between religion and science.
Gould insists that the concerns of the two domains are
properly different and that agreement to a principle of
respectful noninterference between them could result in
peaceful and even productive coexistence. 1999.
Rome Reshaped: Jubilees 1300-2000 BR 13159
by Desmond O'Grady
2 volumes
Chronicles seven centuries of Roman Catholic jubilees-
twenty-six periods of celebration designated by the church
since 1300. Explores associated pilgrimages to Rome and
efforts at worldwide spiritual renewal. Anticipates papal
efforts to reassert the universal relevance of the Holy See
during Jubilee 2000, the first to coincide with a
millennium. 1999.
Saint Augustine BR 12630
by Garry Wills
1 volume
Portrait of the renowned fourth-century bishop, theologian,
and religious writer whose thinking deeply influenced the
development of Christianity through the ages. Discusses his
personal search for faith and his central beliefs. Debunks
the widespread notion that his youth was especially
licentious. 1999.
Sometimes, Enough Is Enough: Finding Spiritual Comfort in a
Material World BR 13511
by Marsha Sinetar
1 volume
Drawing on the Bible and other sources, an educator and
author presents a step-by-step approach to a stronger
spiritual life. Includes suggestions for relating to the
notion of the Divine, managing time, and limiting intrusions
by focusing on prayer, meditation, and exercise. Asserts
that contemplation leads to greater harmony, self-assurance,
and comfort. 2000.
Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil, and Fundamentalism in Central
Asia BR 13624
by Ahmed Rashid
4 volumes
Journalist with twenty years' experience covering
Afghanistan discusses the origin and rise of the Taliban and
its fundamentalist concepts of Islam regarding gender and
drugs. Explains the importance of Afghanistan's energy
resources for the region and the country's problems with
smuggling, civil war, and lack of social services. 2000.
Women Saints: Lives of Faith and Courage BR 13163
by Kathleen Jones
3 volumes
Biographical sketches of forty women with varied careers and
achievements, who became saints on the merits of their
individual contributions. Includes Americans Elizabeth Ann
Seton and Katharine Drexel. Some were visionaries, martyrs,
and missionaries, while others lived as wives and mothers.
1999.
Working on God BR 12683
by Winifred Gallagher
3 volumes
A neoagnostic journalist chronicles her research into the
state of American religion at the close of the twentieth
century. Her spiritual quest delved into the Christian,
Jewish, and Buddhist traditions. She describes finding a
millennial religion that is more practical, personal,
eclectic, and democratic than traditional faiths. 1999.
Science and Technology
The Advent of the Algorithm: The Idea That Rules the World
BR 13263
by David Berlinski
3 volumes
A history of the discovery and emergence of algorithms-codes
controlling computers-and vivid portraits of contributors
such as Leibniz, G”del, Hilbert, and Turing. Discusses the
algorithm's power as a calculating tool while exposing its
limitations as a metaphor for human thought. 2000.
Almost Everyone's Guide to Science:
The Universe, Life, and Everything BR 12645
by John Gribbin
3 volumes
An overview of modern science that explains our
understanding of the universe. Encompasses atoms, chemistry,
evolution, and the solar system, among other topics.
Discusses how all of the sciences fit together and can be
comprehensible to the average person. 1999.
The End of the Dinosaurs: Chicxulub Crater and Mass
Extinctions BR 12713
by Charles Frankel
2 volumes
Describes the discovery in Mexico of the Chicxulub meteor
impact crater, which the author cites as evidence that such
a catastrophic event caused the mass extinction of the
dinosaurs. Discusses the chain of scientific findings that
established the theory, alternative explanations, and the
risk of such occurrences in the future. 1999.
The Greatest Inventions of the Past Two Thousand Years BR
13570
edited by John Brockman
2 volumes
More than a hundred leading thinkers' choices for the most
significant advances during two millennia of human progress.
Scientists, philosophers, and entrepreneurs defend their
selections, which range from the printing press to the
contraceptive pill and include the caravel, electric light,
Gatling gun, Hindu-Arabic number system, stirrup, horse
collar, computer, lenses, secularism, and self-government.
2000.
House of Invention: The Secret Life of Everyday Products BR
12921
by David Lindsay
1 volume
Proceeds room-by-room through a house and into the garage to
discuss the origins of common consumer products. Reveals the
stories behind Vaseline, intermittent windshield wipers,
frozen food, hair straightener, condoms, disposable razors,
BRassieres, flat-bottomed paper bags, electrical outlets,
pencils, Muzak, and more. 2000.
The Ice Finders: How a Poet, a Professor, and a Politician
Discovered the Ice Age BR 13250
by Edmund Blair Bolles
2 volumes
Describes how the scientific community, including noted
geologist Charles Lyell, believed the poles to be covered
with open sea and scoffed at naturalist Louis Agassiz's
1830s ice-age theory. Twenty years later, when adventurer
Elisha Kane's long months stranded among Greenland's
glaciers lent credence to Agassiz's ideas, Lyell switched
camps. 1999.
The Nothing That Is: A Natural History of Zero BR 12789
by Robert Kaplan
3 volumes
Chronicle of the evolution of the mathematical concept of
zero and the development of its importance as a
philosophical concept. The author traces its path through
various Eastern and Western societies, both ancient and
modern. He incorporates literary quotations throughout the
text, linking mathematical and cultural ideas. 1999.
One Good Turn: A Natural History of the Screwdriver and the
Screw BR 13437
by Witold Rybczynski
1 volume
The author recalls the process of determining which tool
should be designated the best of the millennium for an essay
in the New York Times. After he settled on the screwdriver,
invented around 1800,
his curiosity propelled him into further research on an
earlier creation, the screw itself. 2000.
The Origin of Species BR 12412
by Charles Darwin
5 volumes (Reissue)
The nineteenth-century English scientist's theory of
evolution, in which he uses the findings of anatomy,
geology, embryology, and paleontology to support his
explanation of natural selection and survival of the
fittest. 1859.
Physics in the Twentieth Century BR 13234
by Curt Suplee
2 volumes
Describes advances in physics over the last century.
Includes chapters on the electromagnetic spectrum, quantum
mechanics, atomic structures, chaos and order, and the
evolution of the universe. Chronicles the research that
resulted in the creation of new technology. For senior high
and older readers. 1999.
The Race: The Uncensored Story of How America Beat Russia to
the Moon BR 13156
by James Schefter
3 volumes
Longtime space reporter recounts the cold war race to the
moon, providing behind-the-scenes details about NASA.
Chronicles the successes and failures of both the Russians
and the Americans. Explains how U.S. scientists finally won
the competition by placing a man on the lunar surface in
1969. Some strong language. 1999.
The Riddle of the Compass: The Invention That Changed the
World BR 13785
by Amir D. Aczel
1 volume
Traces the development of the magnetic compass and its
impact on society. Contends that the compass should be seen
as the most important technological innovation since the
wheel because of its lasting effect on navigation, commerce,
and world economy. 2001.
Rocks of Ages: Science and Religion in the Fullness of Life
BR 12768
by Stephen Jay Gould
2 volumes
The popular science writer and paleontologist offers a
proposal for healing the rift between religion and science.
Gould insists that the concerns of the two domains are
properly different and that agreement to a principle of
respectful noninterference between them could result in
peaceful and even productive coexistence. 1999.
Space and the American Imagination BR 12481
by Howard E. McCurdy
4 volumes
Discusses the development of the U.S. space program in
response to public interest spurred by writers of science
and science fiction. Examines impacts of popular pressures
and cultural ideals in shaping policy decisions that led to
the creation of the national space venture; explores the
resulting discrepancies between expectations and reality.
1997.
Travels with the Fossil Hunters BR 13543
edited by Peter J. Whybrow
2 volumes
Twelve paleontologists and geologists recount their
fieldwork in remote parts of the world. Episodes include a
pony trek in the Tibetan highlands, a quest for fossils in
the Sahara, a driver ant attack in Sierra Leone, excavations
in Latvia and China, and an expedition in search of mammal
remains in Antarctica. 2000.
Trilobite! Eyewitness to Evolution BR 13559
by Richard Fortey
3 volumes
British paleontologist examines the first creatures on
Earth-trilobites-and describes the planet's evolution
through their eyes. Explains that the crustacean-like
animals' survival for more than 300 million years left a
rich fossil legacy in rock formations, enabling Fortey and
other scientists to reconstruct the past. 2000.
Volcano Cowboys: The Rocky Evolution of a Dangerous Science
BR 13482
by Dick Thompson
3 volumes
Assesses advances made by the U.S. Geological Survey between
the eruption of Washington's Mount Saint Helens in 1980 and
the Philippines' Mount Pinatubo in 1991 in the dangerous
field of volcanology and predicting disasters. Explores
mistakes made during the earlier crisis and how new research
was applied a decade later. Some strong language. 2000.
Zero G: Life and Survival in Space BR 13264
by Peter Bond
2 volumes
Examines the experiences of some four hundred people who
were astronauts or cosmonauts before 1999. Describes their
adaptation to the weightless environment of zero gravity,
with no sense of "up" or "down." Details the trials and
tribulations, dangers, excitement, and monotony that make up
space travel. 1999.
Social Sciences
Between Mothers and Sons: Women Writers Talk about Having
Sons and Raising Men BR 13110
edited by Patricia Stevens
2 volumes
Mothers' memoirs about the challenges and pleasures of
guiding a boy into adulthood. In "Soldier Son," a liberal,
pacifist woman recounts the stressful process of
understanding and coming to terms with her conservative,
gun-loving offspring. Some strong language. 1999.
A Country of Strangers: Blacks and Whites in America BR
12475
by David K. Shipler
8 volumes
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Shipler examines attitudes
toward race relations in America. Explores how blacks and
whites view each other, how perceptions are shaped from
birth, and how interpretations of others' behavior are often
based on prior assumptions, even among unbiased individuals.
Also considers multiracial families and religious minorities
and their reactions to social stereotypes. 1997.
The Death of Adam: Essays on Modern Thought BR 13027
by Marilynne Robinson
2 volumes
A selection of contrarian writings on religion, history, and
social issues, intended to inform and enlighten contemporary
discourse. Asserts that intellectual life in late-1990s
society is "short on substance" and obsessed with the
marketplace. Presents essays that give historical context
for rethinking modern culture. 1998.
The Education of Laura Bridgman: First Deaf and Blind
Person to Learn Language
BR 13354
by Ernest Freeberg
3 volumes
Chronicles the life of Laura Bridgman, who, born into a New
Hampshire farm family in 1829, became deaf and blind at the
age of two. Freeberg recounts Laura's transformation into a
woman who voraciously absorbed the world around her under
the tutelage of Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe of the Perkins
Institution for the Blind. 2001.
For Common Things: Irony, Trust, and Commitment in America
Today BR 12841
by Jedediah Purdy
2 volumes
An earnest young intellectual calls for a renewed commitment
to traditional American values. Purdy examines the popular
use of irony to maintain detachment and recommends that
citizens instead become more involved in civic and political
events. 1999.
Hail Babylon! In Search of the American City at the End of
the Millennium BR 12619
by Andrei Codrescu
2 volumes
The author, a "Transylvanian in Dixieland," celebrates the
lure of American cities with their energy and multicultural
denizens. Describes his tour of New Orleans, Little Rock,
and points west. Laments the destruction caused by freeways,
sterile architecture, and politicians; notes with hope the
use of bookstores as meeting places. 1998.
The Imprisoned Guest: Samuel Howe and Laura Bridgman, the
Original Deaf-Blind Girl BR 13353
by Elisabeth Gitter
3 volumes
The life of Laura Bridgman, deaf and blind from age two,
who became one of the most famous women of the mid-
nineteenth century. Explores her education with Samuel Howe
at Boston's Perkins Institution for the Blind; views her
achievements in the context of American social, cultural,
and intellectual history. 2001.
Lead Us into Temptation: The Triumph of American Materialism
BR 13104
by James B. Twitchell
3 volumes
An analysis of late-twentieth-century consumer culture,
arguing that, for Americans, consumer goods have replaced
religion and bloodlines as signs of social identity. The
author looks at the way logos define and unite subcultures,
and maintains that the ownership of material goods provides
many people with whatever sense of inner security they may
possess. 1999.
Let Evening Come: Reflections on Aging BR 13459
by Mary C. Morrison
1 volume
Quaker-inspired views on aging; advice for growing old
gracefully and peacefully. Suggestions for relating to
family and friends and learning to accept death. Preface by
Morris L. West. 1998.
Lying: A Metaphorical Memoir
BR 13796
by Lauren Slater
2 volumes
In this deliberately unreliable reminiscence, the author of
Prozac Diary (BR 12105) elegantly describes the
manifestations of her epileptic seizures. But she also
confesses her tendency to exaggerate and ponders whether the
book she is writing is fiction or nonfiction. Some
descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2000.
Opposing Viewpoints in Social Issues BR 13000
edited by William Dudley
4 volumes
Presents debates on gun control, abortion, affirmative
action, alcohol, the death penalty, assisted suicide,
genetic engineering, and smoking. Each section includes six
essays-three supporting and three opposing the topic. For
senior high readers. 2000.
Prenatal Testing and Disability Rights BR 13232
edited by Erik Parens and Adrienne Asch
5 volumes
Essays concerning the practice of prenatal testing for
abnormalities and the debate about abortion. Selections
illustrate the diverse opinions within the medical
profession, across the disability community, and among
prospective parents. 2000.
Stiffed: The Betrayal of the American Man BR 12394
by Susan Faludi
8 volumes
Prize-winning journalist reassesses the masculine role in
U.S. society. Focuses on men born after World War II who
feel angry at the discrepancy between perceived promises and
the reality of their existence. Begins at a domestic
violence meeting and progresses to numerous interviews with
individuals in a wide range of occupations. Bestseller 1999.
Taking Retirement: A Beginner's Diary BR 13205
by Carl H. Klaus
2 volumes
English professor recalls his dread of leaving the work
force and the decision to follow his own advice to students-
keep a journal. Chronicles his initial fears and gradual
acceptance of the loss of status and identity, as well as
the admitted joys of a trip to the Rockies with his wife.
1999.
Where We Stand: Class Matters BR 13689
by bell hooks
2 volumes
A cultural critic examines the American class system,
reflecting on its interconnections with race and gender.
Hooks argues that the United States is fast becoming a
class-segregated society in which the plight of the poor is
neglected. She proposes measures to narrow the widening gap
between the rich and poor. 2000
.
Sports and Recreation
Beginning Weight Training: The Safe and Effective Way BR
13184
by V. Patteson Lombardi
3 volumes
Advises proper weight lifting techniques for beginning and
intermediate students as well as teachers. Also explains the
scientifically based principles of the sport and ways to
minimize injury. Discusses the human muscular system and how
to develop a fitness plan. 1989.
Crazy for Rivers BR 12734
by Bill Barich
1 volume
Reflections on fishing and memories evoked while casting a
hook and enjoying the outdoors. Barich reminisces about his
father (a passionate angler) and childhood vacations.
Describes the attractions of trout fishing and fondly
recalls trips to wonderful rivers. 1999.
Explorer Leader Handbook BR 12757
by Boy Scouts of America
3 volumes
Handbook for advisors and youth leaders of Explorer Scouts.
Describes the role of an advisor to an Explorer post in
setting up the post and training the youth leaders.
Discusses the nature of Exploring and the responsibilities
of officers, and tells how to plan and conduct a successful
meeting. 1991.
Explorers with Disabilities Program Helps BR 12751
by Boy Scouts of America
1 volume
Provides a variety of programs and activities for the scout
leader in an effort to include young adults with
disabilities in the Exploring program, which includes both
men and women from ages fourteen through twenty. Companion
to Scouting for the Physically Handicapped (RC 9429). 1994.
The Good Guys of Baseball: Seventeen True Sports Stories BR
12879
by Terry Egan and others
1 volume
Seventeen biographies describing men in baseball who
exemplify some of the best traits an athlete can possess on
or off the field: loyalty, decency, determination, and the
willingness to work hard. Included are Don Wardlow, a blind
sportscaster, and one-handed pitcher Jim Abbott. Grade 1
braille. 1997.
Heroes of the Game: True Baseball Stories BR 13324
by Terry Egan and others
1 volume
This companion to The Good Guys of Baseball (BR 12879)
highlights nineteen players who exemplify sportsmanship and
the love of the game. Includes major leaguer Roberto
Clemente, who died on a mercy mission, and Jim Eisenreich,
who has Tourette's syndrome. Grade 1 braille. 1992.
Joe DiMaggio: The Hero's Life BR 12805
by Richard Ben Cramer
6 volumes
Muckraking biography of sports legend Joe DiMaggio, who rose
from his Sicilian working-class background in San Francisco
to become an American icon. Explores his pivotal games and
business decisions, his obsession-and fights-with Marilyn
Monroe, his dubious mob acquaintances, his life after
baseball, and his lonely death in Florida. Some strong
language. Bestseller 2000.
Long Distance: A Year of Living Strenuously BR 13671
by Bill McKibben
2 volumes
Anecdotes from the year that the author, a thirty-seven-
year-old self-described "wimp," spent training like an
Olympian in order to compete in a cross-country ski event.
He tells how he overcame his internal and external
obstacles, including his father's decline because of a
brain tumor. 2000.
Play Winning Checkers: Official American Mensa Game Book BR
12569
by Robert Pike
1 volume
Explains the basic rules and moves in the multigenerational,
interactive game of checkers. Intended for beginners and
experienced players who want to improve their performance.
Provides guidance for conducting tournaments. Also offers
variations on the standard American game. For junior and
senior high and older readers. 1999.
Preferred Lies and Other Tales: Skimming the Cream of a Life
in Sports BR 13103
by Jack Whitaker
2 volumes
Reminiscences from a member of the Sportscasters Hall of
Fame, who has been announcing televised sports events for
almost fifty years. Includes tales of the first Super Bowl
in 1967, the Triple Crown career highlight of Secretariat in
1973, golfing, tennis, racing, and baseball as well as some
major players. 1998.
Varsity Scout Leader Guidebook BR 12747
by Boy Scouts of America
2 volumes
Qualifications and responsibilities for the adult leader of
Boy Scouts ages fourteen through seventeen. Explains the
program and planning objectives, discusses leadership and
age-appropriate behavior, and provides a parents' guide to
protecting offspring from child abuse. 1996.
Weight Training for Dummies BR 12835
by Liz Neporent and Suzanne Schlosberg
4 volumes
Fitness consultant and health writer describe more than 130
strengthening exercises for all parts of the body, which are
suitable for "rookies and veterans alike." Explains proper
weight lifting technique and gives tips on designing a
personal workout program. 1997.
When You Come to a Fork in the Road, Take It! Inspirations
and Wisdom from One of Baseball's Greatest Heroes BR 13542
by Yogi Berra
1 volume
Champion baseball catcher, coach, and manager suggests
making informed decisions by obtaining advice and going with
what feels right. Uses baseball anecdotes as metaphors for
life. Bestseller 2001.
Yukon Alone: The World's Toughest Adventure Race BR 13297
by John Balzar
3 volumes
A journalist spends six months among the mushers of the Far
North as they prepare for the grueling Yukon Quest
International Sled Dog Race-1,023 snowy miles between
Whitehorse and Fairbanks, Alaska. Depicts the men and women
struggling to take their dog teams through the wilderness.
Some strong language. 1999.
Stage and Screen
Marlon Brando BR 13754
by Patricia Bosworth
2 volumes
Portrait of the celebrity actor including revelations about
his dysfunctional family, his acting lessons with Stella
Adler, and highlights of his career. Describes Brando's
destructive personal behavior. Provides insight into his
political views and his major roles on stage and screen.
Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2001.
Threads of Time: Recollections BR 12937
by Peter Brook
2 volumes
In this memoir, stage and screen director Brook recalls the
aesthetic, personal, and spiritual journey that has shaped
his long and varied career. Explains his ideas about film,
opera, and other productions; discusses his efforts to
create a multicultural and multilingual theater; relates
experiences and encounters that left lasting impressions.
1998.
"You Ain't Heard Nothin' Yet": The American Talking Film;
History and Memory, 1927-1949 BR 12460
by Andrew Sarris
7 volumes
Examines the first two decades of sound films, focusing on
the directors, the studios, and the major actors and
actresses. Discusses the works of directors D.W. Griffith,
John Ford, Alfred Hitchcock, and others at Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer, Paramount, Warner Brothers, and Columbia studios.
Highlights stars such as Bette Davis, Cary Grant, and
Spencer Tracy. 1998.
Travel
Driving Mr. Albert: A Trip across America with Einstein's
BRain BR 13332
by Michael Paterniti
2 volumes
As the author chauffeurs Dr. Thomas Harvey and the pickled
remains of Einstein's brain from New Jersey to California,
he recalls salient facts about the scientific genius,
contemplates mysteries of the brain, and ponders the
eccentricity of his traveling companion. Some strong
language. 2000.
Driving over Lemons: An Optimist in Andalucía BR 12933
by Chris Stewart
2 volumes
First drummer for the rock group Genesis humorously recalls
naively purchasing land in Andalucía, Spain, and with his
wife, Ana, gamely making a go at being full-time farmers
without the benefit of plumbing or electricity. Describes
subsequent years when they had a child and made lasting
friendships with neighbors. Some strong language. 1999.
The Flƒneur: A Stroll through the Paradoxes of Paris BR
13447
by Edmund White
2 volumes
Novelist, critic, and biographer White, who moved to Paris
in 1983, describes his wanderings through the city's
arrondissements, including districts congenial to writers,
African Americans, Jews, artists, gays and lesbians, and
royalists. A flƒneur is someone who strolls about a city
with no specific purpose, yet is attuned to its history and
character. Bestseller 2001.
Fresh Air Fiend: Travel Writings, 1985-2000 BR 12967
by Paul Theroux
4 volumes
Fifteen years of articles and essays that explore the
connections between traveling and writing. Recounts camping
trips in Maine and visits to European cities, rivers in
Africa and China, and Pacific islands. Includes essays on
the author's and others' books and on travel writers such as
BRuce Chatwin. Some strong language. 2000.
Frommer's 99 Washington, D.C. BR 12653
by Elise Hartman Ford
5 volumes
Tips on dining, shopping, accommodations, and recreational
activities in the Washington, D.C., area including
sightseeing and city strolls, museums and monuments,
neighborhoods and parks, nightlife and entertainment. 1999.
Frost on My Moustache: The Arctic Exploits of a Lord and a
Loafer BR 12776
by Tim Moore
3 volumes
A British journalist's comic account of his effort to re-
create the 1856 Norwegian Arctic expedition of Lord
Dufferin, who returned to write a bestselling travel book.
But Moore suffers social and physical indignities as he
leaves his comfortable coach to endure bitter cold, polar
bears, born-again Vikings, and seasickness. 1999.
Green Alaska: Dreams from the Far Coast BR 13031
by Nancy Lord
1 volume
The author traces the 1899 Alaska expedition of Edward H.
Harriman, president of the Union Pacific Railroad, who
BRought prominent scientists, writers, artists, and
photographers to study and observe the western coastline.
Lord describes the flora, fauna, inhabitants, and
environment, comparing her journey with Harriman's. 1999.
Green Hills of Africa BR 12659
by Ernest Hemingway
2 volumes (Reissue)
Account of an African big-game-hunting expedition in 1933
that included Hemingway and his wife, Pauline. Describes
their adventures on the Serengeti Plain near Mount
Kilimanjaro. 1935.
I May Be Some Time: Ice and the English Imagination BR
12612
by Francis Spufford
4 volumes
A cultural examination of the British male obsession with
polar exploration as evidenced in literary works. Provides
some historical background about famous expeditions but
concentrates on motivation: the allure of the vast unknown.
Includes some commentary on the wives' feelings. 1997.
Irish Journal BR 12595
by Heinrich B”ll
1 volume
The German author records his impressions of Ireland on a
family trip made in the mid-1950s. He expresses his
affection for the Irish people while he captures a country
in transition before it catches up with the modern world.
1967.
Life on the Mississippi BR 13216
by Mark Twain
4 volumes (Reissue)
Memoir of Twain's career as a steamboat pilot on the
Mississippi River in his youth before the Civil War. Twenty-
one years later he returns for a trip from St. Louis to New
Orleans, reminiscing about the changes and the cities he
encounters. Includes a history of the river. 1883.
Living with Cannibals and Other Women's Adventures BR 13533
by Michele Slung
2 volumes
Profiles of sixteen female adventurers, paired to contrast
past and modern counterparts. Includes Florence Baker-who
sought the source of the Nile-with white-water guide Arlene
Burns, nineteenth-century globe-trotter Isabella Bird Bishop
with twentieth-century bicyclist Dervla Murphy, and aviation
pioneer Amelia Earhart with astronaut Shannon Lucid. 2000.
Not So Funny When It Happened: The Best of Travel Humor and
Misadventure BR 13531
edited by Tim Cahill
2 volumes
This anthology of humorous travel accounts includes pieces
by Anne Lamott, Bill Bryson, J.P. Donleavy, Dave Barry, and
Tim Cahill. The incidents occurred in such faraway places as
Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Mexico, China, Morocco, Australia, and
India, as well as right here in the United States. 2000.
On Mexican Time: A New Life in San Miguel BR 12948
by Tony Cohan
2 volumes
A writer and his artist wife first visit San Miguel de
Allende in 1985 on vacation. Capitulating to the town's
charm, they purchase a badly deteriorated house. As they
restore their home, they ease into a gracious lifestyle
while appreciating the Mexican traditions they've embraced.
2000.
Passage to Juneau: A Sea and Its Meanings BR 12680
by Jonathan Raban
4 volumes
Raban chronicles his 1990s trip up the Inside Passage from
Seattle, Washington, to Juneau, Alaska, in a ketch (the
boat's main attraction was its built-in bookcases). He had
set out to retrace George Vancouver's 1792 route and to
meditate on the lure of the sea, but instead his journey
became one of personal introspection. 1999.
Questions of Heaven: The Chinese Journeys of an American
Buddhist BR 12597
by Gretel Ehrlich
1 volume
The writer travels to China to climb a sacred Buddhist
mountain. Hoping to "pick up the threads of a once
flourishing Buddhist culture," she is saddened to see the
extent of destruction the ten-year-long cultural revolution
wreaked on things spiritual, intellectual, and creative.
1997.
Sydney: The Story of a City BR 13292
by Geoffrey Moorhouse
3 volumes
A history and social commentary of this major Australian
city and its incomparable harbor. Discusses the city's
beginnings as a British penal colony in 1788 and its
multicultural growth and development through 1999. Describes
landmarks, cultural and sports events, and problems,
including racial prejudice, past and present. 1999.
Three Miles Down BR 13146
by James Hamilton-Paterson
2 volumes
The author's account of his 1995 participation in Project
Orca-the hunt for a Japanese submarine sunk during World War
II and believed to be carrying several tons of gold. He
portrays the anticipation of finding treasure and a
primordial watery world full of unexpected beauty. Some
strong language. 1999.
The Water in Between: A Journey at Sea BR 13312
by Kevin Patterson
3 volumes
Canadian ex-army doctor Patterson recalls a sailing
adventure from Vancouver Island to Tahiti with a friend in
1994 and 1995. Describes the four-day gale encountered on
his solo return voyage and his fear that a journey meant to
distract him from a broken heart might actually end in
death. 1999.
United States History
All the President's Men BR 13143
by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
4 volumes
Two Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post reporters
chronicle their investigation of the Watergate scandal,
which began as a burglary of the Democratic National
Committee Headquarters on June 17, 1972. They explain the
events that precipitated their first suspicions and led them
to ascertain the truth. Some strong language. Bestseller
1974.
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the
United States BR 13599
1 volume
Contains the full text of the Declaration of Independence,
written in 1776, and the Constitution of the United States,
written in 1787, as well as the twenty-seven amendments to
the Constitution. Includes an introduction by Pauline Maier
that provides historical information on both documents.
Bestseller 1998.
1898: The Birth of the American Century BR 12671
by David Traxel
4 volumes
A narrative on the pivotal year of 1898 in United States
history, during which the country changed from a rural,
isolated society into a major world player. Discusses the
Spanish-American War as well as union uprisings, racial
conflict, advances in technology and advertising, and the
last Native American battle. 1998.
Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation BR 12931
by Joseph J. Ellis
3 volumes
Author of American Sphinx (RC 44729) explains the importance
of a few prominent leaders in the development of democracy
after the American Revolution. Describes significant
contributions to the new nation made by John Adams, Aaron
Burr, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas
Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington. Bestseller
2000.
The Greatest Generation BR 13580
by Tom Brokaw
3 volumes
Expanding on his 1984 D-Day anniversary coverage, reporter
BRokaw profiles World War II veterans and civilians who
sacrificed for their country. He includes people like Thomas
BRoderick, who founded the Blinded Veterans Association, and
businessman Bob Bush, who lost an eye in a heroic rescue
mission. Bestseller 1998.
An Hour before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood BR
13279
by Jimmy Carter
2 volumes
The thirty-ninth president of the United States reminisces
about growing up in rural Georgia during the depression.
Traces his family genealogy; examines social mores of the
segregated South. Describes his experience of daily life in
a small close-knit farming community until his appointment
to the U.S. Naval Academy. Bestseller 2001.
In Love with Night: The American Romance with Robert Kennedy
BR 13255
by Ronald Steel
3 volumes
Examines Robert Kennedy's life, career, and enduring image.
Asserts that he cannot be understood apart from his older
BRother, President John Kennedy. Argues that it is pure
myth, not reality, for Americans to believe that with
Robert's passing the promise of political redemption eluded
the nation. 2000.
Jefferson vs. Hamilton: Confrontations That Shaped a Nation
BR 13611
by Noble E. Cunningham
2 volumes
Uses primary documents to illustrate the different political
and social philosophies of Thomas Jefferson, the first U.S.
secretary of state, and Alexander Hamilton, the first
secretary of the treasury under President George Washington.
Includes letters, speeches, and state papers, from their
youth to Hamilton's death in 1804. 2000.
John Adams BR 13426
by David McCullough
7 volumes
Award-winning author chronicles the life and times of
America's second president, New Englander John Adams (1735-
1826). Examines his pivotal role as revolutionary, diplomat,
and politician as well as his friendship-and rivalry-with
Thomas Jefferson. Primary sources detail his relationship
with his wife, Abigail, four children, and notable
contemporaries. Bestseller 2001.
The Johnstown Flood BR 13224
by David McCullough
3 volumes
A vivid description of the causes and effects of the
Johnstown, Pennsylvania, flood of 1889 that killed
thousands. Based on first-person accounts of the tragedy
that occurred when a man-made dam broke, flooding the
entire valley with twenty million tons of water and debris.
1968.
Little Bighorn Remembered: The Untold Indian Story of
Custer's Last Stand BR 12759
by Herman J. Viola
3 volumes
The curator emeritus of the Smithsonian Institution presents
accounts from descendants of Native Americans who fought on
both sides of the battle. Crow and Arikara individuals
explain why their ancestors joined Custer and scouted for
his army, and Lakota and Cheyenne descendants defend their
forefathers' stance against the scouts and white soldiers.
1999.
Midnight Dreary: The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe BR
12717
by John Evangelist Walsh
2 volumes
An investigative account of Edgar Allan Poe's final days.
Retraces the author's solo journey from Richmond, Virginia,
to New York City, during which he mysteriously vanished for
several days. Speculates on the basis of documentary
evidence how Poe most likely died. 1998.
The Name of War: King Philip's War and the Origins of
American Identity BR 12724
by Jill Lepore
5 volumes
Describes the horrendous conflict of 1675-1676 between the
English settlers in New England and the Native American
people of the region, involving massacres on both sides. In
the aftermath the colonists became more dependent on their
homeland, and the cultural divide between the races
persisted for centuries. 1998.
Native North America BR 13646
by Larry J. Zimmerman and Brian Leigh Molyneaux
2 volumes
Overview of American tribal history and culture. Discusses
prehistoric migrations to North America and subsequent
displacement of tribal peoples by European settlers.
Describes Native Americans' spiritual life, religious
beliefs, and rituals. Examines their issues with modern
society. 1996.
The Prince of Tennessee: The Rise of Al Gore BR 12976
by David Maraniss and Ellen Nakashima
3 volumes
Two Washington Post journalists construct a personal and
political biography of Vice President Al Gore. They describe
Gore's childhood as the son of a senator and trace his
career path in his father's footsteps. 2000.
The Signers of the Declaration of Independence BR 13719
by Robert G. Ferris and Richard E. Morris
2 volumes
Brief biographies of each of the fifty-six patriots who
signed the American Declaration of Independence and were
subsequently branded as traitors to the English crown.
Includes text, summary, and historical background of the
1776 document. 1973.
Woodrow Wilson BR 12899
by Louis Auchincloss
1 volume
A brief biography probing the complex and enigmatic
character of the twenty-eighth president of the United
States. Discusses Wilson's southern upbringing, Protestant
background, and his academic career. Examines his role in
leading the U.S. during World War I and his disappointment
in the country's failure to endorse the League of Nations.
2000.
The West
Crazy Horse BR 13477
by Larry McMurtry
1 volume
A history buff and prolific writer examines the life and
legend of a Sioux warrior who is rarely mentioned in
official records. Provides a philosophical portrait of the
solitary figure who was known for his acts of charity and
for his leadership at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
1999.
Old Fences, New Neighbors BR 12788
by Peter R. Decker
2 volumes
Explores the conflicts between the new and old west using
the author's adopted county of Ouray, Colorado. Complex
land-use issues driven by population explosion are forcing
many long-term ranchers out of business. Discusses the
history and the changes in the small agricultural town of
Ridgway, which characterize the entire region. 1998.
Women's Concerns
Letter to the World: Seven Women Who Shaped the American
Century BR 12491
by Susan Ware
3 volumes
Profiles of Eleanor Roosevelt, Dorothy Thompson, Margaret
Mead, Katharine Hepburn, Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Martha
Graham, and Marian Anderson. Selected because of their
stature as popular icons and their contributions to
different aspects of American culture in the twentieth
century. For senior high and older readers. 1998.
Life among the Ibo Women of Nigeria BR 12605
by Salome Nnoromele
1 volume
Describes the cultural history of the Ibo women of western
Africa, including their traditional social, economic,
religious, and political roles. Discusses the consequences
of European colonialism, the modern role of women in
Nigeria, and possible future trends. For junior and senior
high readers. 1998.
No Place for a Woman: A Life of Senator Margaret Chase Smith
BR 13231
by Janann Sherman
4 volumes
Biography based on interviews with the former politician
from Maine, the first woman U.S. senator. Recalls Smith's
thirty-three years in Washington that began after a special
election to complete her late husband's term as
representative. Delves into her often-controversial views,
including her reluctance to be labeled a feminist even while
supporting equal rights. 2000.
Our Bodies, Ourselves for the New Century: A Book by and for
Women BR 13108
by Boston Women's Health Book Collective
17 volumes
This updated version of The New Our Bodies, Ourselves (BR
6075) discusses aspects of women's health, including
holistic medicine, emotional well-being, relationships,
sexual behavior, and childbearing. Also includes information
concerning disabilities and aging. Explicit descriptions of
sex. 1998.
Whose Body Is It Anyway? Smart Alternative and Traditional
Health Choices for Your Total Well-Being BR 12511
by Joan Kenley
3 volumes
Inspired by her own menopausal problems, a psychologist
presents information on concerns faced by women in midlife.
Topics include hormone treatments, physical appearance,
urinary and sexual problems, cancer, heart disease, and
osteoporosis. 1999.
Women Saints: Lives of Faith and Courage BR 13163
by Kathleen Jones s
3 volumes
Biographical sketches of forty women with varied careers and
achievements, who became saints on the merits of their
individual contributions. Includes Americans Elizabeth Ann
Seton and Katharine Drexel. Some were visionaries, martyrs,
and missionaries, while others lived as wives and mothers.
1999.
World History
The Balkans: A Short History BR 13483
by Mark Mazower
2 volumes
The author of Dark Continent: Europe's Twentieth Century (RC
49031) reassesses the area of southeastern Europe known as
the Balkans. Explains how centuries of peaceful coexistence
between diverse religious and cultural populations exploded
into nationalist violence following the breakup of the
Ottoman empire. 2000.
The Black Room at Longwood: Napoleon's Exile on Saint Helena
BR 12982
by Jean-Paul Kauffmann
2 volumes
Describes Napoleon's place of exile and imprisonment from
1815 until his death in 1821, reflecting on the emperor's
state of mind and including portions of his diary. Winner of
the Prix Femina and a bestseller in France. Translated by
Patricia Clancy. 1999. Bestseller 1999.
Courtesans and Fishcakes: The Consuming Passions of
Classical Athens BR 12439
by James N. Davidson
4 volumes
Investigates the pleasures of the flesh-food, drink, and
sex-as indulged in by classical Greeks. Based on ancient
literature and history of the period from 479 to 323 B.C.,
discusses the Athenians' beliefs, interpretations, and
representations of such basic cravings in private and in
public. 1997.
From Dawn to Decadence: 500 Years of Western Cultural Life,
1500 to the Present BR 12796
by Jacques Barzun
11 volumes
A description of major achievements in Western art, thought,
manners, morals, and religion, from the Protestant
Reformation to the late twentieth century. Profiles major
figures in cultural and social revolutions, including
Luther, Cromwell, Mozart, and Rousseau. Explores evidence of
what the author views as a decline in Europe and America.
2000.
Gandhi's Passion: The Life and Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi BR
13541
by Stanley Wolpert
4 volumes
Covers Mohandas Gandhi's childhood, legal training, and
transformation into a mahatma or "great soul," and the
international attention that focused on his vision of
nonviolence. Uses Gandhi's writings to explore his shift
from turn-of-the-century campaigns against racial
discrimination in South Africa to a leadership role in
India's independence movement. 2001.
Islam: A Short History BR 13247
by Karen Armstrong
2 volumes
Describes the origin and spread of the religion of Islam.
Discusses Muhammad and his family, the Crusades, and the
powerful Moghul and Ottoman Empires. Explores Islam's
divergence into sects and the creation of a modern
fundamentalist movement. 2000.
Life among the Ibo Women of Nigeria BR 12605
by Salome Nnoromele
1 volume
Describes the cultural history of the Ibo women of western
Africa, including their traditional social, economic,
religious, and political roles. Discusses the consequences
of European colonialism, the modern role of women in
Nigeria, and possible future trends. For junior and senior
high readers. 1998.
Mao Zedong BR 12736
by Jonathan Spence
2 volumes
Portrays the personal and public life of the revolutionary
leader of China from 1949 until his death in 1976. Depicts a
"lord of misrule" who was relentlessly driven to achieve a
utopian, egalitarian society at any cost. Traces his youth
in Hunan province through his waning years as head of state.
1999.
Marco Polo and the Discovery of the World BR 12813
by John Larner
4 volumes
A history professor examines the authenticity of Polo's book
about his travels to the East and assesses its impact on
European culture. He reviews known facts about Marco Polo
(1254-1323?) and the Venetian merchants, discusses how the
book came to be written, and describes its reception in
succeeding years. 1999.
The Myth of Continents: A Critique of Metageography BR
12489
by Martin W. Lewis and Karen E. Wigen
4 volumes
An examination of how traditional geographical divisions of
the world into continents, nation-states, and the
supracontinental blocks of East and West reflect parochial
attitudes such as Eurocentrism. Proposes that an
increasingly integrated world needs a new geographical
depiction. 1997.
The Renaissance: A Short History BR 13319
by Paul Johnson
2 volumes
A brief survey of the Renaissance, including the historic
and economic background of the period; its art, literature,
and architecture; and its eventual decline. 2000.
Sydney: The Story of a City BR 13292
by Geoffrey Moorhouse
3 volumes
A history and social commentary of this major Australian
city and its incomparable harbor. Discusses the city's
beginnings as a British penal colony in 1788 and its
multicultural growth and development through 1999. Describes
landmarks, cultural and sports events, and problems,
including racial prejudice, past and present. 1999.
Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil, and Fundamentalism in Central
Asia BR 13624
by Ahmed Rashid
4 volumes
Journalist with twenty years' experience covering
Afghanistan discusses the origin and rise of the Taliban and
its fundamentalist concepts of Islam regarding gender and
drugs. Explains the importance of Afghanistan's energy
resources for the region and the country's problems with
smuggling, civil war, and lack of social services. 2000.
Walking on the Land BR 13698
by Farley Mowat
2 volumes
A portrayal of the desperate plight of the Inuit of northern
Canada and the disintegration of their way of life. Reworks
and updates material previously published in 1952 and 1960,
covering Mowat's travels through the Barren Lands. Some
strong language. 2001.